Golden Eagles Go West for Nike Husky Classic

Sept. 24, 2002

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Upcoming Schedule

Friday., Sept. 27 at Washington; Seattle, Wash.; 7 p.m. PDT

Sunday, Sept. 29 vs. Portland; Seattle, Wash.; 11:30 a.m. PDT

Marquette heads to Seattle for the Nike Husky Classic. The Golden Eagles play Washington and Portland in this prestigious tournament. Washington and Portland both represent formidable opponents for the Golden Eagles.

Marquette has had an up and down season in the early going. The Golden Eagles have yet to win two in a row, but also have not lost two in a row either. Marquette is looking to move back to .500 and gets the opportunity on Friday, Sept. 27 against Washington at 7 p.m. PDT. MU will also take on Portland in the tournament on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 11:30 a.m. PDT.

Scouting Washington

Washington, the 12th ranked team in the preseason, has had an enigmatic season. Through six contests, the Huskies are 2-2-2. Washington started off the season with ties to UCF and DePaul before picking up wins against 24th ranked Santa Clara and Charleston. The Huskies are coming off losses to fifth-ranked South Carolina and 18th ranked Creighton.

Washington has offensive skills, scoring in every match this season. The defense has struggled at times, allowing five goals over the past weekend. No Husky individual has scored more than two goals this season, even though the Huskies have scored nine goals this season. Dayo Oyetuga, Brett Weimar and Patrick Tanner. Oyetuga has 16 shots and 11 on goal this season. In goal, Chris Eylander and Daniel Waltman have split time. Waltman has 19 saves while Eylander has nine.

Scouting Portland

The Pilots own a four-match win streak heading to the weekend. Portland, at 6-2, have losses to then top-ranked Stanford and California. Portland has wins in its last two matches against 16th ranked Creighton and Cal Poly.

Nate Jaqua leads the team with six goals and three assists. Sheldin Maistry has six goals as well. Portland has been an offensive juggernaut this season, scoring 20 times to its opponents eight.

In goal, Curtis Spiteri has 23 saves and a 0.91 goals against average.

In The Polls

Marquette is not regionally ranked at this point in the season. The Golden Eagles were ranked sixth in the September 9 poll, but have remained out since the September 16 poll. Indiana, Notre Dame, Evansville, Wis.-Milwaukee and Detroit round out the regional top five.

Marquette Gets Second Try at Washington and Portland

MU played Washington and Portland on back-to-back occasions in 1999, with both matches in Portland. The Golden Eagles started off with a 7-0 loss to Portland and then fell to Washington, 1-0. MU is hoping a change of scenery and different venue will produce different results.

Golden Eagles Get Big Win

Marquette's 1-0 win over Saint Louis marked the first time MU beat the Bills since 1995. MU's record against Saint Louis is now 3-19. The win is also the first against a ranked team this season. MU will also play ranked foe Wisconsin this season.

Goal Explosion

Marquette's offense came to life against Wright State. The Golden Eagles scored four goals against the Raiders, marking the only time this year that MU has scored more than once. Last season, the Golden Eagles scored four or more on four different occasions, with the last being a 4-1 win in the C-USA semifinals against 24th ranked UAB.

Conference Road Woes

After defeating 24th ranked Saint Louis in the C-USA opener, Marquette was faced with facing Cincinnati two matches later. The Golden Eagles, who seemingly always have trouble at Myers Field, lost 2-1. Marquette has struggled on the road in conference play. Last season, MU was 2-3 in conference road games. In the last five years, MU is 8-14 on the road in C-USA games. Marquette was 3-3 in 1998, the last time it was .500 or better on the road in Conference USA play.

One Was Enough

Senior midfielder Mike Robards (Leawood, Kan.) scored Marquette's only goal in a 1-0 shutout of Saint Louis on Sept. 9. It was the 13th 1-0 win in the last five seasons for the Golden Eagles.

Gutierrez Set for a Full Season

Junior forward Derek Gutierrez (Overland Park, Kan.) missed seven games last season down the stretch. Upon his return to the final four matches, Gutierrez was a dangerous offensive threat with two goals and two assists. Despite missing one third of the season, Gutierrez led the team in assists with six and had five goals on the year. Had he played a full season, Gutierrez averages calculate to as a 7.5 goal, 9.0 assist season. Currently, Gutierrez has a team leading three goals and seven points.

Marquette Duo Named Preseason All-Conference

Two Marquette players received preseason all-conference selections. Senior Steve Lawrence (Brookfield, Wis.) and junior Derek Gutierrez (Overland Park, Kan.) were named to the 11-member all-conference team in the preseason.

Lawrence has been on the post-season All-C-USA squad in each of his three previous seasons. The senior captain helped Marquette to hold its opponents to 20 goals in 21 matches last season.

Gutierrez missed part of 2001 with an injury, but he is completely healthy and ready for a full season. MU's fourth leading scorer, Gutierrez is anticipated to have a high goal scoring season.

Golden Eagles Picked Fourth in Preseason

Marquette was picked fourth behind three NCAA Tournament teams in the preseason coaches poll. The Golden Eagles, sixth in last year's field, were selected behind league favorite UAB, Saint Louis and South Florida.

The Golden Eagles chances for success against the projected favorites are solid. MU plays all three teams picked ahead of it at home this season.