Men's Soccer Hosts MU Alumni in Exhibition Play Thursday
9/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 20, 2006
MILWAUKEE -
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The Marquette men's soccer team will return to the friendly confines of Valley Fields Thursday, Sept. 21, when it host MU soccer alumni at 7:05 p.m. Many notable alumni will be participating in this contest as well as in other events surrounding this game as part of a weekend long alumni reunion celebration. Head coach Louis Bennett is excited about re-igniting interest in Marquette's soccer history through this event.
"It is important for myself and my staff to be connected with former Marquette players and the history of the program," said head coach Louis Bennett. "We want to utilize the interest and involvement of this program to help it grow even more. It is extremely important that the alumni recognize that they belong and still are connected to the program. This is a small step for what we want for the future. We expect over 30 former Marquette soccer players to participate this weekend and there will be a lot going on for them."
Aside for the prime-time match-up between players of yesterday and today, other events that surround Alumni Reunion Weekend include open practice for the alumni Friday morning, 8-9 a.m., and a golf social and lunch at Greenfield Park Golf Course following the training session at 11 a.m. Friday evening will commence with a M Club Tailgate prior to the women's soccer game against no. 15/12/11 Connecticut at 7 p.m., at Valley Fields.
Saturday's festivities will feature the grand opening of the new practice facility at Valley Fields at 9 a.m., and alumni vs alumni small-sided scrimages where members from five decades of Marquette soccer will be represented. The Alumni will also enjoy a pre-game tailgate presented by Qdoba Mexican Grill prior to the men's soccer game. The Golden Eagles will clash with Providence at 1:05 p.m. at Valley Field.
The Alumni will be recognized for their commitment to Marquette soccer at half time of the Providence game, will be treated to a post game gathering at The Annex and will be given campus tours with stops at the Raynor Library and Al McGuire Center.
The MU Alumni will be led by captain Steve Lawrence who enjoyed a sensational career at Marquette from 1999-2002. Lawrence was a First Team All-Conference USA Selection and was named Co-Defender of the Year that same season. Currently Lawrence is the head soccer coach at Marquette High School.
"Steve has done a good job getting everyone together and putting together a quality team of alumni for Thursday's game. He is an important part of the community and we appreciate everything he has done to make this weekend a success," added Bennett.
Other letterwinners on the MU Alumni roster include; Kevin Berry (1993-96), Brian Brewer (1993-96), Dominic D'Amato (1984-88), Bryan Godfrey (1999-2002), Steve Govin (1996-98), Derek Gutierrez (2000-03), Pat Hanley (2000-03), Jason Hood (1998-2001), Josh Kasun (1992-94), Blair Kohlmeyer (2002-05), Eric Marshall (199-2002), Zack McCallum (2000-03), Theran Motl (1999-2002), Sean Reti (1998-2001), Patrick Sheahan (1991-93) and Tony Walby (2000-03).
Aside from getting the best of their former teammates, the Golden Eagles will also use this game as a tune-up to prepare for their BIG EAST contest at Valley Fields against Providence on Saturday. Marquette has not seen much success as of late hitting a seven game losing skid including dropping back-to-back conference games to Cincinnati, 0-2, and Louisville, 0-4. Due to injury and illness Marquette has been forced to shuffle its lineup in order to find the right combination. Bennett says he will do the same against the alumni in preparation for Providence.
"Anytime you get to play opposition at home, it is good," Bennett said. "We are going to play a different lineup on Thursday. The players who are hurt will get to rest and the one who have been rested will get a chance to play. We will play a mixed lineup to give an opportunity for a different formation serving as a great tune-up for Providence. This will be the first game against a team from our (Blue) Division which is much stronger and talented compared to the Red Division where only one win separates each team."