Marquette University Athletics
Marquette Plays Well at the Gopher Spring Classic
4/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
April 23, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Golden Eagles played a pair of matches at the Gopher Spring Classic, on the campus of the University of Minnesota on April 23. Marquette defeated host Minnesota, 1-0, before earning a 1-1 draw with Creighton. The Blue Jays were among the 64 teams in the 2005 NCAA Tournament this past Fall.
In the morning session, Marquette faced off against the host Golden Gophers came up with a 1-0 victory. Meghan Connelly tallied the lone score, following a a scramble in front of the Minnesota net with 10 minutes to go in the match. Shaina Mango and Katie Kelly were credited with the assist. MU outshot Minnesota in the match.
"We played outstanding versus Minnesota and if we had converted on our opportunities in front of their goal, the score could've have been higher." said head coach Markus Roeders. "Laura Boyer made a spectacular save in the first half, as we controlled much of the play early on. Our possessions were excellent and we created a number of opportunities."
Roeders added, "Our goal was superb, as Katie Kelly played a long diagonal to an attacking Shaina Mango on the left side and her cross was finished by Meghan Connelly. We can't give the team enough credit for this performance. We made a minor adjustment to our playing system and they executed it beautifully."
Against Creighton later on in the afternoon, Ashley George found the back of the net early on before the Blue Jays added the equalizer before halftime. Connelly and Lauren Weber were named to the Gopher Spring Classic all-tournament team.
"Our squad enjoyed another great weekend of play. We continue to see improvements in all areas and the players embrace every opportunity to play together." Roeders said. "We tied a very talented Creighton squad, despite making costly turnovers. It was good to see Ashley George get on the scoreboard, she has been training very hard had to overcome her injuries from this past Fall."
"We were passioned about our play and if we can get our injured players to become regular contributors, it will be entertaining to watch this team in the future. We are looking forward to our final spring weekend at home." continued Roeders.
MU finishes Spring play this weekend, when it hosts the Marquette University Games at Valley Fields on Saturday, April 29. Northwestern, Loyola (Ill.), Wis.-Oshkosh will compete, as well as the Chicago Eclipse U18 club.
