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Blue Demons Drop UAB in Overtime
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Julianne Sitch made a strong statement for Conference USA Player of the Year honors with a “golden goal” in the second overtime in Sunday’s 2-1 win at UAB. The victory kept the Blue Demons perfect in league play and the only team with a 4-0-0 record. It was the second straight “golden goal” victory for the Blue Demons as they defeated Memphis, 2-1, in the first extra period on Friday night. After a scoreless opening half, DePaul (8-2-0, 4-0-0 C-USA) scored the first goal of the match in the 59th minute. Lauren Spacht tallied her third score of the season on a header from an Erin Davren corner kick to give the Blue Demons the early lead. UAB (7-3-0, 3-1-0 C-USA) tied the match when Tara Kidwell scored at 80:32. Kidwell’s goal came off a rebounded shot by Nicolette Nieves. Neither team was able to score over the final 10 minutes of regulation and the first overtime period. In the 110th minute, Sitch broke through the UAB defense and fired a shot into the left corner past Blazer keeper Katie Forbis for the game-winner. Stich, a Conference USA Player of the Year candidate and All-American candidate, tallied her league-best ninth goal of the season. The sophomore has made the most of her goals this year as she has five game-winners. Her scoring total of 20 points is one shy of the single-season record she set last year with 21 points. The win improved DePaul’s program-best start and kept them atop the Conference USA standings. With a loss by Saint Louis at TCU, the Blue Demons are the only club in C-USA with a 4-0-0 record. Following the Blue Demons is South Florida. USF stands at 3-0-1 after knocking off Cincinnati and Louisville this weekend. Ironically, the Blue Demons were picked ninth in the league’s preseason poll followed by USF at No. 10. DePaul continues the road trip with a pair of non-conference games in Colorado Springs, Colo., next weekend. The Blue Demons take on Air Force Friday before finishing with a Sunday match against Colorado College.
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