Anthony Hunter, Jalen Harvey and their DePaul University Men’s Soccer teammates got off to a great beginning in Southern Illinois but couldn’t quite finish what they started.
An early Simon Megally goal in the ninth minute held up until the 60-minute mark when Southern Illinois-Edwardsville found the equalizer in a 1-1, double-overtime tie at Korte Stadium.
That result left DePaul at 2-2-1 on the season while Southern Illinois-Edwardsville is 0-4-2.
Hunter controlled the ball on the right side and sent a pass into the center of the box where Megally nailed his team-leading third goal of the season on a header from six yards out.
“Huntee got the ball, took one touch and I looked over at him,” Megally said. “He sent a perfect cross---I dove and headed it in. Once I connected, I knew the goalkeeper wouldn’t have enough time to react.”
Late in the first half, Hunter had a good look from 25 yards out and fired a shot that was just barely over the crossbar.
DePaul’s defensive effort limited Southern Illinois-Edwardsville to a single shot over the first 59 minutes. But one minute later, the Cougars’ Lewis Ellis received a pass from Justin Bilyeu and chipped a shot far post from 15 yards out.
In the overtime, DePaul was the beneficiary of a rare call. An Southern Illinois-Edwardsville goalkeeper infraction gave Megally a free kick just outside the six-yard goalkeeper box.
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville packed all 11 players in front of the net and there were a number of DePaul players in the area. Megally’s shot was blocked and Kevin Beyer’s rebound attempt sailed high.
“We had a great start with Simon’s goal,” said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. “As our coaches like to say, the guys were switched on playing on the road.
“Our plan was to come out focused on keeping the zero and trying to score first---and the guys responded. It was another step in the right direction.
“Early on we were playing really well, winning balls at midfield and going forward. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville stepped it up in the second half and scored a nice goal on their part.”
DePaul did well defending all over the field.
“We played really well defensively tonight,” Megally said. “From the front line to the back line, we were pressing well and intercepting passes.”
