Marquette University Athletics
Marquette University
Charlotte
Golden Eagles Advance to C-USA Championship Match
11/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 8, 2001
MILWAUKEE - Anne Ioder's goal at the 113:48 mark pushed second-seeded Marquette (16-4) past third-seeded Charlotte (9-7-4), 1-0, in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament at Valley Fields on Thursday night. With the victory, MU moves on to face top-seeded Cincinnati (16-3) in Saturday's 2 p.m. final. This will be the Golden Eagles' record sixth-straight C-USA title match appearance, and their second-straight finals match against Cincinnati. Marquette and UC are meeting for the fourth time in the last six championship matches.
Ioder's goal was her third of the season, and all three scores have been game-winners. Ioder took Jenny Strachota's throw-in and fired it from 18 yards out past a diving Jenn Howell. Strachota's assist was her second of the season.
The Golden Eagles posted an 11-3 shot advantage in the second half of regulation, but Charlotte goalkeeper Jenn Howell recorded six of her eight saves in that period. Howell finished the season with a career-high 82 saves. MU goalkeeper Ashleigh Koenig had two saves to record her ninth shutout of the season and her team's 12th shutout of the year. This also marks the first season in which Charlotte has not won at least 10 matches.
Marquette and Charlotte have a penchant for playing beyond regulation during the league tournament. This marked the sixth straight year that the two teams have met in the C-USA Tournament, and three of those matches have gone to either overtime or penalty kicks.
Marquette and Cincinnati are two of the nation's top defensive teams. Entering Saturday's final, Cincinnati has shut out 14 opponents, and Marquette has held 12 opponents scoreless. UC is 9-3 in one-goal matches, and MU is 8-4. Cincinnati prevailed in double overtime in the regular season match between the two teams (Oct. 19), and the last two C-USA Tournament matches between the twp teams have been decided by one goal.
