Women's Soccer Ready to Resume BIG EAST Play
9/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 27, 2007
MILWAUKEE - The No. 19/25/12 Marquette women's soccer team will resume BIG EAST Conference play on Friday, Sept. 28, when it hosts Providence at 6 p.m. The game will be the first of a doubleheader with the MU men's soccer team. Following its match with the Friars, the Golden Eagles will head to Storrs, Conn., where they will play No. 21/-/13 Connecticut.
"It's been a good week of training as we go into our split weekend in the BIG EAST," said head coach Markus Roeders. "Our team is doing a good job on both ends of the field but we have to improve on our finishing. Possession of the ball and limiting turnovers has been an emphasis this week and it will be good to see where we stand."
Friday evening is Breast Cancer Awareness Night and Soccer Mom Camp reunion. The MU women will be wearing pink jerseys while the men will be warming up in pink shirts in support of breast cancer awareness. The women's game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off following the game.
"Friday night under the lights, a great night of BIG EAST soccer at Valley Fields and raising awareness for breast cancer," said Roeders. "I know the young ladies will wear their uniforms with pride, and we hope that our fans, families, the students and community will embrace this special evening."
Marquette (8-0-1, 1-0-0 BIG EAST) is riding a nine-game unbeaten streak and is one of nine teams in the nation that remain unbeaten this season. Three of those nine are BIG EAST teams. Along with MU, Villanova (7-0-2) and St. John's (6-0-2) are BIG EAST teams that are undefeated, while Boston College (7-0-1), Santa Clara (6-0-1), Massachusetts (5-0-1), BYU (6-0-2), Kentucky (6-0-2) and Appalachian State (5-0-2) are the others.
Freshman Ashley Bares continues to lead the Golden Eagles with 14 points on a league-leading seven goals for the season. She was named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week for the second consecutive week Monday. Her lone goal against USF propelled MU over the Bulls, 1-0, in the conference opener at Valley Fields on Sept. 21.
Senior goalkeeper Laura Boyer has been exceptional in goal giving up only one tally this season. Boyer leads the league and stands third in the nation with a 0.11 goals against average. Her 0.955 save percentage is the best in the BIG EAST and ranks fourth in the nation.
The Golden Eagles will be will looking for their 99th win at Valley Fields on Friday night. In 11 seasons of play at The Valley, Marquette owns a 98-28-7 all-time record on its home pitch and are riding a 10-game unbeaten streak dating back to last season. MU is 10-1 in regular season BIG EAST play at The Valley.
Providence (1-6-1, 0-1-0 BIG EAST) opened up BIG EAST play with a 6-0 loss to Connecticut on Sept. 21. The Friars defeated Hartford, 1-0, on Sept. 14 for its first and only win of the 2007 season. PC tied Massachusetts, 1-1, in two overtimes on Sept. 2. Megan Mancarella, Marra Whaley and Christie Gent each have two points for the season as the trio is PC's lone point holders. The Friars have been outscored by their opponents, 19-2.
"Providence has had to battle through adversity, and despite their record we will expect a very good squad that has an excellent coach," Roeders said.
Marquette is 2-0 all-time against Providence. The Golden Eagles took both meetings, 2-0.
The Huskies (5-2-0, 1-0-0 BIG EAST) have been powerful offensively as of late scoring 15 goals over their last three games. Connecticut has a four-game win streak under its belt and its most recent result came at Providence, 6-0, in both team's conference opener. UConn's two losses came at the hands of nationally ranked teams, then No. 9 Stanford (0-1) and then No. 15 Penn State (0-1).
Annie Yi leads Connecticut offensively with nine points on four goals and an assist. Karyn Riviere and Erin Clark each have eight points, while 13 other Huskies have registered points for UConn. In goal for the Huskies, Stephanie Labbe has started and played in all seven games. Through 630 minutes, she has registered two shutouts and a 0.71 goals against average.
The Golden Eagles have split their two meetings with the Huskies. Marquette is 0-2 when playing at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. MU dropped a 2-1 decision against the Huskies in 2005 and lost 2-0 to Notre Dame in the semifinals of the 2006 BIG EAST Tournament.
"The UConn game will be a battle," added Roeders. "Two nationally ranked teams going against each other should make for a great match. We have been there twice over the past two years and the veteran players know the environment. Two seasons ago we lost a close match when we had to chance the score twice. I feel the BIG EAST semi-final that was played their last fall, although not against UConn, gave us added experience at their complex. UConn is very talented with a lot of tradition. We will have to bring our best soccer to get a result on the road."
