Marquette University Athletics
Women's Soccer Tangles With Tough Teams in Tourney
9/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 4, 2003
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Upcoming Matches
Sept. 5, vs. USC, 1:30 p.m. EDT
Sept. 7, vs. Oakland, 2 p.m. EDT
The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Marquette women's soccer team. Fresh off a split of action against tough opponents at the Milwaukee Cup, the Golden Eagles get a dose of quality soccer teams again, this time in the Nike Michigan Tournament in Ann Arbor.
To start the tournament, Marquette tangles with its first nationally-ranked foe of the year. The Golden Eagles will meet 15th-ranked USC in the first match of the tournament on Friday, Sept. 5 at 1:30 p.m. (EDT). Marquette will then play regional foe Oakland on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. (EDT).
Scouting USC
USC is the nation's 15th ranked team, according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The Women of Troy (1-1) split their opening matches as they traveled cross-country to Florida State. USC beat Florida State, 2-1, but lost to Florida, 4-3, to close the tournament.
The Women of Troy proved they are a side that can score, posting three strikes against no. 7 Florida. However, they have defensive holes, allowing the four goals. Rose Anna Tantillio is the leading scorer for USC with two goals.
Series History
Have never met.
Scouting Oakland
Oakland has been a thorn in the side of Marquette for each of the last two years. The Golden Grizzlies have laid claims to 2-0 and 2-1 wins each of the last two seasons.
Oakland isn't a deep side, playing only 13 players in each of its first two matches. The Grizzlies split a pair of matches. OU beat Illinois, a team Marquette lost to in an exhibition match, 1-0 and tied Southeast Missouri State, 0-0 to remain unbeaten.
Goalkeeper Sarah Buckland has been the story for OU this year. She has played 110 minutes and hasn't surrendered a goal, making 11 saves.
Series History
Oakland leads, 2-0.
OU has won each of the last two years in the Milwaukee Cup.
In The Polls
The Golden Eagles are still not included in the national rankings by the NSCAA or Soccer Buzz. Opening the season 1-1, Marquette was still left off the Great Lakes regional rankings, however. Notre Dame holds the top regional spot in the NSCAA poll. Oakland, an MU opponent this week, is fifth in the region.
All-Tournament Honors
Three Golden Eagles were honored with All-Tournament team status after the 2003 Milwaukee Cup, in which it finished second. Junior goalkeeper Katie Bissen (Maple Grove, Minn.), senior midfielder Laura Culhane (Brookfield, Wis.) and senior forward Carolyn Klopp (Glendale, Wis.) were named to the 11-player squad.
Bissen Pitches Shutout in First Start
Senior goalkeeper Katie Bissen (Maple Grove, Minn.) made three saves and more importantly kept Vanderbilt off the scoreboard in a 1-0 win on Aug. 29, her first career start. Bissen became just the second keeper in Marquette women's soccer history to record such a feat. Ashleigh Koenig was the first player to do so, shutting out Charlotte on Oct. 1, 2000.
Klopp Starts Season Right
Senior forward/midfielder Carolyn Klopp (Glendale, Wis.) scored Marquette's only goal in a 1-0 win over Vanderbilt on Aug. 29. It was Klopp's eighth career goal. She scored two last year and one as a junior. She seems to be more of a scoring threat this season, like she was as a freshman, when she scored four goals.
Tough Schedule
Marquette's 2003 slate proves that its not afraid to face anyone. A year removed from playing a no. 1 team, Marquette three teams on its schedule that were ranked or received votes in the preseason NSCAA poll - California (18), Southern California (19) and Charlotte (ARV). In the Soccer Buzz poll, Marquette takes on four teams that are ranked - Charlotte (18), California (22), Cincinnati (23) and Southern California (ARV).
Marquette at Home
Last season, Marquette won its first six matches at home, continuing on its dominance at Valley Fields. For the year, MU was 7-2-1 at home in 2002. The last time Marquette won fewer than seven matches at home in a year was the 1998 season. This year, Marquette has only eight matches at home and is already 1-0 at the Valley.
C-USA Predictions
Marquette was predicted to finish third in the league by the 14 Conference USA coaches. Cincinnati was predicted to be the league's preseason favorite. Charlotte was picked ahead of MU. Saint Louis and East Carolina round out the top five.
Preseason All C-USA Selections
Two Marquette players were selected among the 11 chosen to be Preseason All C-USA. Seniors Anne Ioder (Hartland, Wis.) and Kristen Jensen (Shorewood, Ill.) were picked among the league's elite players. Jensen was third team All C-USA last year and first team each of her first two-years. She is coming off a one goal, three assist year as a central midfielder. Ioder was selected second-team all-league each of the last two years. She was a C-USA all-freshman selection as well. She is coming off a two goal, two assist year.
Roeders Wins 100th
Head coach Markus Roeders won two matches in the Dayton Marriot Flyer Classic in 2002 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.
