Marquette To Host Nationally Ranked UConn
10/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 17, 2008
Game Day Links:
Game Notes vs. UConn (PDF)
Live streaming audio (WMUR)
MILWAUKEE -- Marquette will go toe-to-toe with nationally ranked Connecticut this Saturday at Valley Fields. Kick off versus the Huskies is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game will be MU's second locally televised game this week to air on Time Warner Cable Sports 32, and will be broadcast live on Marquette Radio (WMUR).
"It's an exciting part of the season right now," said head coach Louis Bennett. "Some people say we have a relentless schedule and UConn is certainly one of the premier teams in the country. There's not any apprehension about that; there's excitement from our players. It's a great opportunity for us."
With just four remaining league fixtures, the Golden Eagles are fighting for a spot in this year's BIG EAST tournament. UConn was the preseason favorite to win the Blue Division, according to the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll and were ranked No. 2 in the NSCAA/adidas preseason poll. Offensively, the Huskies feature senior forward O'Brien White, whose 23 goals last year led the nation.
Series History
Saturday marks Connecticut's second-ever trip to Valley Fields. The Huskies defeated Marquette by a final of 1-0 in 2006. UConn owns a 4-0-0 all-time record against MU. The Golden Eagles were close to escaping Storrs, Conn. with a result last year before ultimately falling to the No. 2-ranked Huskies 2-1 in overtime.
History Against Ranked Opponents
The highest ranked team that a Marquette squad has ever knocked off was at No. 3 Creighton (W, 3-1) during the 2000 season. On record, the Golden Eagles have picked up five wins overall against nationally ranked opponents. MU's last victory over a top 25 foe was a 1-0 decision over No. 23 Penn State in Columbus, Ohio back in 2005. Marquette's only win over a nationally ranked opponent at Valley Fields was a 1-0 victory against No. 23 Saint Louis in 2002.
Golden Eagles on Time Warner Sports
Saturday's match will be the second televised game of the season for Marquette to air on Time Warner Cable Sports 32. The match versus UConn will be televised tape delay locally in the Milwaukee area with Matt Menzl (play-by-play) and Sean Reti (color analyst) making the call. A total of three MU?matches will be televised this season. Check the Time Warner Cable website for air times. MU's last televised match of 2008 will be at UW-Milwaukee (Oct. 22) for the annual "Milwaukee Cup."
World's Game
In an amazing array of nations, there are will be 14 different countries around the world being represented by Connecticut and Marquette players and coaches this Saturday. In addition to the United States, other countries include: Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Finland, Israel, Jamaica, Liberia, Mexico, Panama, Scotland, Sweden, and Trinidad.
Close, But No Cigar
Five of Marquette's six losses have been 1-0 setbacks (Syracuse, St. John's, UIC, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin). The Golden Eagles were victims of eight losses decided by a single goal in 2007, including three consecutive 1-0 setbacks to open BIG EAST play.
Looking Ahead
Marquette travels from The Valley to the upper East Side next week Wednesday for the "Milwaukee Cup" to be played this year at UW-Milwaukee's Engelmann Field. A traveling trophy is awarded to the winner of the annual derby between the two cross-town rivals. Last year's match at Valley Fields ended in a 1-1 draw. Milwaukee holds a 25-7-3 all-time advantage in the series.
Unforgiving Schedule
Nine of Marquette's 17 opponents this season were or are currently ranked in the top 25 in the NSCAA/adidas national rankings. Three of those matches have been against top-10 teams (Notre Dame, St. John's, and UIC). No. 20/20 UConn will be the fifth nationally ranked program the Golden Eagles will have faced this season, the most-ever by an MU squad. Two of those games went to double overtime, including a 1-0 loss to No. 5 St. John's off a penalty kick and a 1-1 tie at Louisville.
In The Record Books
Junior goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski ranks among Marquette's all-time leaders in several career statistical categories. Pyzdrowski currently ranks eighth in saves (132) and seventh in goals against average (1.39). Additionally, he has served a total 3,438 minutes between the posts, which ranks sixth in the Golden Eagles record books.
