Marquette University Athletics
Golden Eagles Head on Southern C-USA Road Swing
10/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 1, 2002
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The 15th-ranked Marquette women's soccer team looks to improve on its 2-0 Conference USA start with a pair of road games. The first is Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. against UAB in Birmingham. Marquette then travels to Tampa, Fla. for a 7 p.m. (EDT) match against South Florida on Oct. 4.
The Golden Eagles got off to a good start in Conference USA play. Marquette went 2-0 in its first weekend of action, recording shutouts in both wins. MU also had three different goal scorers and two other record assists in the 1-0 win over Tulane and the 2-0 win over Southern Miss.
Scouting UAB
UAB had a mixed weekend in recent action against two ends of the spectrum of C-USA opponents. However, UAB did well against 17th ranked Charlotte, extending the 49ers to overtime, losing 4-3, and was lackluster against East Carolina, falling to Pirates, 2-1.
The Blazers are hovering around the .500 mark, sitting at 4-5-1 and 1-2 in C-USA play. They have shown they have significant offensive ability, posting 24 goals in 10 matches. However, they are vulnerable on defense, allowing 22 goals. Three different UAB players have five or more goals. Jenny Rynders has five marks with four assists. Jill Knottek and Tara Kidwell each have six goals.
Scouting South Florida
The Bulls have not had good fortune this season, starting off at 3-6 and 0-3 in conference play. South Florida is struggling to find the net, having only scored 13 times in its nine matches. The Bulls were shutout in their last match, 2-0, by Saint Louis.
Tia Opliger, a preseason all-conference selection, leads the team with three of the team's 12 goals and had 25 shots on the year. She hasn't scored, however, since Sept. 22 in a 3-2 loss to Florida State.
In goal, Breck Bankester leads the way with 33 saves, but she has allowed 15 goals.
In The Polls
Marquette shot up two spots in the NSCAA top 25 to 15th and is ranked for the first time in the Soccer Buzz top 25, entering the poll at 16. MU was ranked as high as 17th last season and was ranked for five weeks last year. Charlotte, the only other C-USA school in the top 25, is ranked 17th in both polls. The two meet on Oct. 11 in Charlotte.
The Golden Eagles moved up to second in the Great Lakes Region poll by the NSCAA and Soccer Buzz. MU is behind 8-2 Michigan in both polls.
Marquette's Sept. 20 opponent, North Carolina, fell out of the top spot for the first time this season. The Tar Heels tied Portland and fell behind Stanford for the top spot. Charlotte is the only other MU opponent currently ranked.
Gordon Rising in MU Career Categories
Senior Kate Gordon (Sioux City, Iowa) has her eye set on some MU career records. Currently, MU's second most prolific goal scorer needs 10 scores to tie all-time MU goal scoring leader Kelly Roethe. Roethe netted 49 goals from 1996-99. Gordon trails Roethe by 29 in the career points category. Roethe's total of 123 came on 49 goals and 25 assists. If Gordon were to tie Roethe for career goals at 49, she'd need 13 assists on the season to tie for points. Gordon is also five match-winning goals behind Roethe who won 17 matches.
Freshmen Fit In
Against Tulane and Southern Miss, Marquette had three goals on the weekend, two scored by freshman. Midfielder Julie Thompson (Naperville, Ill.) and midfielder Heather Goranson (Germantown, Wis.) each scored, both scoring match winners, to continue the MU freshman class' strong contribution. MU freshmen have four goals on the season, with Goranson having two, Thompson and forward Kristie Matola (Brookfield, Wis.) each have one.
At the Half
Through 10 of 20 matches this season, Marquette is 8-2. As impressive as that is, MU had a 9-1 starts in the 2000 season. MU was also 8-2 through 10 matches last season.
Counting on the Masses
In Marquette's eight victories, eight different players have scored the match winning goal. In all, 10 players in all have netted scores. Freshman midfielder Julie Thompson (Naperville, Ill.) scored her first of the season against Tulane. She joined freshman midfielder Heather Goranson (Germantown, Wis.) in scoring their first match winners of the season.
Doomesday Defense
While Marquette has been successful on the offensive end this season, the defense has been equally deserving in Marquette's success. With a veteran back line led by seniors Anne Dalecky (Wauwatosa, Wis.), Diana Detrie (Green Bay, Wis.) and Ashley Koenig (Naperville, Ill.), Marquette has kept its opponents from getting off quality shots. MU has outshot its opponents 171-87 and holds a 77-40 shot on goal advantage this season.
Difficult Schedule
Head coach Markus Roeders has loaded his slate with challenging foes. On the schedule are six teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year, including three which advanced as far as the third round. Currently, the nation's no. 1 ranked team, North Carolina, is on the Marquette schedule.
Roeders Wins 100th
Head coach Markus Roeders won two matches in the Dayton Marriot Flyer Classic to become the first women's soccer coach to win 100 games. He joined nine other MU coaches to reach 100 wins in any sport.
