Men's Soccer Wins, Ties in Spring Play

April 20, 2007

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette men's soccer team, playing in its second-to-last spring date of the season, played to a 0-0 tie with Wis.-Parkside and defeated the Croatian Eagles Soccer Club, 6-2. The first game was played as two 20 minute periods and the second was played as two 25 minute periods.

Against Parkside, Marquette was able to create some offensive chances and the defense was solid as it was the previous week against Wis.-Milwaukee. Goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski did not allow a goal in the 40 minutes of work, and general improvement was the norm for most of the roster.

"Parkside is a solid college team in any division," head coach Louis Bennett said of his Division II opponents who took a win and a tie against Division I teams last week. "It's indicative that we have done some improving and we are a better team defensively. We still showed we lack that offensive sting."

The Golden Eagles exploded in the second game, jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. Despite scoring six times in what was less time than a regular half, Bennett said the team has not shaken all its offensive problems.

"It was good to find the net, but it's hard to analyze what you have done against a men's club team," Bennett said. "At any one time, they had four professional players out there and some amateurs. This is their first time together and it provided some ragged play."

However, it was the play of Nick Kay and Michael Greene that stood out in the game against the Croatian Eagles. Each scored twice with Greene netting a goal off a corner kick.

"For the individuals who found the net, that was important," Bennett added. "For Michael Greene to get a goal of a set piece is definitely productive. And it was productive for Nick Kay to get his touch right."

Marquette has one more week of spring practice before the season comes to an end, giving the players one final push to show how much they deserve a starting spot on the 2007 squad.

"The spring is a proving ground and this is the last week to do any of that proving," Bennett concluded. "We're going to push them hard this week and leave them in good shape as they head into summer play with their clubs."

The Golden Eagles conclude spring play on Sunday, April 29 with the Marquette Spring Tournament at Valley Fields. Play begins at 8:30 a.m.