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Pagone Picks Up Primetime Performer Award
Sept. 7, 2010
CHICAGO – The best start to Lauren Pagone’s soccer career just got better. After scoring for DePaul in last Friday’s 1-1 tie with Big 12 power Missouri, Pagone was named a Primetime Performer of the Week on Tuesday by CollegeSoccer360.com. Connecticut's Jessica Shufelt was named National Primetime Player of the Week, and Pagone was among 10 others honored as a Primetime Performer. That was Pagone’s second goal of the season---the senior from Maine South in Park Ridge delivered the game-winner in the Blue Demons’ 1-0 victory over St. Bonaventure on Aug. 27. One more goal will equal her output from the 2009 season. “Coming into my last year, I wanted this to be my best season,” Pagone said. “All summer I worked out harder than ever because I wanted to make a difference on the field. “I worked out every day during the summer on my cardiovascular fitness and went for long runs. I’d play soccer during the week in my free time and played every Sunday with my women’s team. “All the offseason work I did is paying off.” The Blue Demons are off to a 3-2-1 start despite missing three key starters because of injuries. “We’ve done a good job of dealing with all the adversity,” Pagone said. “We all came in very fit, and when three of our starters got injured, we picked it up even more. “It’s nice to see that early on we’ve stepped it up. This team is a fighting team.” Pagone, Callie Hemming (two goals, two assists), Tara Strickland (one goal, one assist) and Janina Locascio are the key seniors looking to provide leadership for the Blue Demons.
“I need to play better and play harder as a leader,” Pagone said.”I am a senior, and it’s time for me to step up my leadership and lead by example.” DePaul travels to East Lansing, Mich. for a 4 p.m. match Friday against Michigan State (3-2-0). The Blue Demons return home to face Drake (3-1-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Wish Field. |
