A New Chapter for the Blue Demons
The DePaul University women's soccer program will conclude its preseason schedule with a home exhibition against Illinois State University on August 9 at 4 p.m. CT, taking place at the iconic Wish Field. The matchup offers the Blue Demons a final tune‑up before the regular season begins, and it will be the first time the team showcases its new lineup in front of its home crowd.
Illinois State enters the game riding the momentum of a breakout 2025 season. Under the guidance of head coach Raleigh DeRose, the Redbirds posted an 8‑6‑8 overall record, going 5‑2‑5 within the Missouri Valley Conference. Their run to the MVC tournament title game marked the first time the program had reached that stage since 2019, underscoring the rapid progress made under DeRose's leadership.
The Redbirds opened their preseason with a victory over Heartland Community College on August 5 in Normal, Illinois, a game that helped build chemistry before the highly anticipated showdown with DePaul. That early win set a positive tone and gave the squad confidence as they prepared for the Blue Demons' visit.
DePaul's regular season will kick off shortly after the preseason finale. The Blue Demons open at home against Northern Illinois University on August 16, followed by a home contest against the University of Denver on August 20, both scheduled for 4 p.m. CT. These early fixtures will test the team's readiness and provide early indicators of how the new roster will perform.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Blue Demons will translate their preseason work into competitive play. With a fresh schedule and a renewed focus on building chemistry, the team hopes to carry the positive energy from the Illinois State match into a strong start to the regular season. The upcoming games promise to be a pivotal chapter in the program's development under head coach [coach name not provided].