LINCOLN PARK — Forward Abby Reed wasn't full of great expectations when she transferred to DePaul from Indiana State.
"I was just hoping to come in and make some new friends," Reed said.
Instead, in her first year as a Blue Demons women's soccer player, the sophomore is on the verge of breaking the program's single-season goal-scoring record of 12 set by DePaul legend Julianne Sitch in 2003.
And Reed, who has 10 goals heading into Friday's regular-season finale against St. John's, isn't alone. Fellow forward Elise Wyatt, a junior from Canada, also has 10 goals.
"Every time either one of us scores, it's just pure excitement on the field," Wyatt said. "It doesn't matter who's scoring. Most teams, you'd have a battle for that top [goal-scoring] spot. With this team, it's all about group goals."
The No. 9 Demons, who improved to 14-0-3 after Saturday's 1-0 victory over Xavier, and UCLA are the nation's last two unbeaten teams. Wyatt gave credit to the senior players, who won just three games as freshmen, for the program's overall success.
New blood hasn't hurt either. Like Reed, freshman forward Alexa Ben has made an immediate impact with eight goals, including one Saturday, in her opening campaign.
Wyatt, Reed and Ben are interchangeable in the Demons' 4-3-3 formation, which employs three forwards and stresses an attacking style.
"We just started clicking in our first few games," Reed said. "Our chemistry was formed then, and it was something that was there from the start."
Sitch, who played for several professional teams, including most recently with the Chicago Red Stars, said she's thrilled two Blue Demons have a shot of surpassing her goal tally.
"I think it's awesome," said Sitch, of the West Loop, who hasn't made a decision whether she'll continue to play professional soccer.
"It just means that DePaul is continuing to show it's an improving program and that top players are coming there," Sitch added.
Sitch still has plenty of Blue Demons records, including most career points (90, double her nearest challenger), goals (32), assists (26) and games started (79).
"She’ll always have a huge impact on DePaul," Wyatt said. "I don’t think her name will ever fade away."
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