Golden Eagles Prep For Pittsburgh
10/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 4, 2008
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Game Notes vs. Pittsburgh (PDF)
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PITTSBURGH -- Marquette (2-4-3, 1-3-1 BIG EAST) will attempt to get back on the winning track Sunday at Pittsburgh's Founders Field. Kick off against the Panthers (5-4-1, 1-3-0) is set for Noon (CT). The Golden Eagles are returning to BIG EAST action following Thursday's 1-0 loss to ninth-ranked UIC. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has lost three straight since knocking off No. 20 Rutgers at home.
Key Storylines
Sophomore Anthony Colaizzi, who is Marquette's leading scorer, is expected to return to the field Sunday at Pittsburgh. Colaizzi sat out the last two games due to receiving his second red card of the season Sept. 26 at Louisville. Colaizzi scored his fourth goal against the 20th-ranked Cardinals, as MU played UofL to a 1-1 draw after also losing Michael Greene to a red card. Greene is ineligle for Sunday's match due to another red card he picked up this past Thursday against UIC. Marquette is looking for its first-ever win against the Panthers. The Golden Eagles are coming off its fourth loss of the season and third loss decided by a single goal.
Series History
Pittsburgh owns a 3-0-0 record in the all-time series. Marquette's only goal against the Panthers was scored during the teams annual BIG EAST meeting last season, a 2-1 overtime loss for Marquette in the regular season finale from Valley Fields.
Unforgiving Schedule
Marquette will the gauntlet in 2008 by going head-to-head with six teams currently ranked in the top 25 in the NSCAA/adidas poll. Three of those matches have been against top-10 teams (Notre Dame, St. John's, UIC). On record, No. 11 USF was the highest ranked team the Golden Eagles have beaten, a 1-0 shutout in Tampa back in 2004. The last ranked opponent MU defeated was No. 23 Penn State, 1-0, in 2005.
Looking Ahead
Marquette returns to Milwaukee for a season-long three-match home stand at Valley Fields where they will take on Seton Hall (10/11), Wisconsin (10/15) and No. 7 Connecticut (10/18). The Golden Eagles then hit the "road" to take on UW-Milwaukee (10/22) in the annual Milwauee Cup versus the cross-town Panthers. MU then plays host to Providence (10/25) before wrapping up the regular season with a two-match road swing, at West Virginia (10/29) and at Georgetown (11/1).
Close, But No Cigar
Marquette suffered a pair of 1-0 setbacks to Syracuse and fifth-ranked St. John's earlier this season, prior to Thursday, 1-0 shutout to UIC. Syracuse tallied the decisive goal in the 76th minute, while the Red Storm netted the game-winner off a penalty kick in the second overtime. The Flames didn't net the game-winner until the 85th minute. 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.
Pyzdrowski Garners Weekly Honors
Goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski was named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week for the week of Sept. 28, in addition to collecting College Soccer News National Team of the Week honors. Pyzdrowski faced 50 shots combined in a pair of road contents, at Louisville and at Cincinnati. He allowed just one goal with dismal 0.45 goals against average and 14 totals saves. "Pyz" also picked up his third shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over the Bearcats. Earlier this season, Pyzdrowski was selected to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.
