NCAA First Round Women's Soccer Postponed Until Saturday

NCAA First Round Game Notes in PDF Format
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Nov. 9, 2006

MILWAUKEE - Due to inclemate weather, the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament has been postponed until Saturday afternoon. Florida and Loyola will play their first round game at 1 p.m., and Marquette and Purdue will play at 3:30 p.m. The winners of the two games will meet for a second round match on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m., at Valley Fields.

"Our team is excited to be part of the NCAA Tournament field. Hosting first and second round games is a privilege and we want to take full advantage of playing at Valley Fields," said head coach Markus Roeders whose Golden Eagles are 94-28-6 all-time at Valley Fields and 3-5 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.

This will be the fifth time in school history Marquette has hosted an NCAA Tournament game at Valley Fields. Last season the Golden Eagles advanced to the Sweet 16 after playing their first and second round games at Valley Fields.

The Boilermakers come to "the Valley" for NCAA Tournament action for the second consecutive year. Ranked in the NSCAA poll as high as 17, Purdue went 14-5-3 on the year, outscoring their opponents 29-16. Parissa Eyorokon and Jessica Okoroafo each scored eight goals on the year. Goalkeeper Lauren Mason made 94 stops on the year and boasts a 0.73 goals against average. Marquette owns a 2-0 series lead against the Boilermakers.

"Purdue will be a difficult opponent and they have had a fine season," said Roeders. "We are expecting a hard fought match but our team is very confident and our play has been excellent as of late."

The Golden Eagles advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year and the sixth time in school history. Marquette is coming off a regular season in which it went 11-6-4 and finished second in the American Division of the BIG EAST. It is the 10th consecutive season the Golden Eagles have won 11 games. Marquette advanced to the BIG EAST semifinals where it lost to top-ranked Notre Dame, 2-0, Nov. 3.

Marquette has won six of its last seven matches and is 9-3-1 in its last 13 games after starting the year 2-3-3. Second Team All-BIG EAST selection junior forward Allison Mallams leads the team in goals and points, with eight goals and 23 points. Fellow classmate Christy Zwolski is on the verge of her second 20-point season scoring seven goals and adding five assists for 19 points. Junior goalkeeper Laura Boyer has made 62 saves this season and has a 0.82 goals against average.

"Although we lost a close match versus Notre Dame in the Big East Semi-final, we became a better team playing the no. 1 ranked team in the nation," remarked Roeders. "We will use that experience in the NCAA's to advance deep in the tournament."

Live stats will be available. Click on the gametracker link on the front page of www.gomarquette.com to access.