Marquette University Athletics
Women's Soccer Ranked in National Polls
8/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Golden Eagles slotted as high as no. 20 in the nation
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MILWAUKEE ? The Marquette women's soccer team heads into its week ranked in the two national polls that were released this week. The Golden Eagles were ranked no. 20 by Soccer America magazine and were placed at no. 24 by Soccer Buzz magazine. The National Soccer Coaches Association poll won't be released until September 6.
"It's great that we are ranked right now," head coach Markus Roeders said. "We have several players who have stepped up and worked hard to get the two wins we have. We know that we can't just sit back and say that we won twice and go out and expect teams to give us a win. We will continue to work hard."
The last time Marquette was ranked prior to this season was on Oct. 13, 2002, when it was no. 15th, the highest ranking in program history. After its strong start, going 2-0 in the first two matches of the season, Marquette puts its undefeated start on the line in a pair of matches.
On Friday, September 2, the Golden Eagles host Drake at Valley Fields at 7 p.m. It is the first meeting between Marquette and Drake in the history of either school?s program.
After its short one-match homestand, Marquette pays a visit to in-state rival Wis.-Green Bay on Sunday, September 4 at 7 p.m. in Green Bay. It is the first of two road matches against in-state schools. After visiting UWGB, Marquette visits Wis.-Milwaukee for a match at Engelmann Field, the place where Marquette defeated Northwestern.
One of the top new programs in the nation, Drake (in its fourth season of collegiate play) comes into the 2005 season after posting a 13-5-3 mark and 7-0-0 slate last year. The Bulldogs return leading scorer Andrea Schmitz, a nine-goal scorer a year ago, and goalkeeper Erin Jarvis, who held teams to a 0.79 goals against average in 2004.
The start to 2005 wasn?t as good as its 2004 results. Drake fell to nationally ranked Florida in its season opener, 3-1, and lost at home to Minnesota, 2-0, on Monday. Jarvis made three saves in the first two matches and Schmitz was the Bulldogs lone goal scorer.
Despite the Bulldogs' slow start, Roeders is expecting nothing less than a challenge from Drake.
"We're expecting a very tough match," Roeders said. "They are a very well organized team with a lot of seniors and juniors. I don't expect anything less than what we saw this weekend with Illinois and Northwestern."
For the first time in two years, Marquette heads north to take on Wis.-Green Bay. Marquette owns the series history with UWGB, winning nine of the 10 previous meetings. Green Bay?s only win came in the first meeting in the 1993 season.
The Phoenix started the season 0-2 with a 2-1 loss to Northern Illinois and a 4-2 loss to Illinois State. Brooke Wilkgren, a sophomore goalkeeper who recorded a 0.72 goals against average last season, was responsible for the six goals. She was also forced to make 11 saves in the two matches, facing a total of 17 shots on goal in the opening weekend. Lotte Rasmussen has proven to be UWGB?s scoring punch early in the season, recording two goals. Stephanie Gross, the leading returning scorer with six goals in 2004, recorded the Phoenix?s other tally.
"I don't think we've ever had an easy game at Green Bay," Roeders said. "Every game there has special meaning. The players on both teams know each other so well."
Roeders said that the key for Sunday nights' game will be recovery time.
"We have to see how well we rebound from Drake," he added. "We have to stay focused. If we can stay focused, I feel we can Duke it out with anyone right now."
Marquette is coming off a win in the 2005 Milwaukee Cup. The last time the Marquette women's soccer team won a tournament championship was the 2000 season when it won the Conference USA Tournament championship.
"We haven't played for a championship in a while," Roeders said. "That gives us great confidence and gives us a chance to head in the direction that we want to go."
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