Marquette University
Notre Dame
Golden Eagles Fall 3-1 at No. 1 Notre Dame
10/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2008
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Marquette women's soccer team's five-match unbeaten streak came to a halt this afternoon as No. 1 Notre Dame defeated the Golden Eagles, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field. The loss puts Marquette at 7-4-2 (3-1-1 BIG EAST), while the Irish remain the only undefeated and untied team in the nation at 12-0-0 (5-0-0 BIG EAST).
Despite the loss, head coach Markus Roeders was pleased with the Golden Eagles' effort this afternoon.
"We played an excellent match today and we are proud of the effort and hard work," said Roeders. "Playing the top team in the country on its home field is always a challenge, but we battled every moment and made it an entertaining match. Despite the shot count, the game was played on both ends of the field. We had several opportunities, but couldn't put them away. We played with an attacking mindset and that's what it takes to challenge any team especially Notre Dame. Despite the loss, we learned today and will move forward being a better squad. It is time to refocus and take the next step in BIG EAST play."
The Fighting Irish out shot Marquette 32-11, with eight of those on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Natalie Kulla played all 90 minutes in net and made four saves. For the Irish, Kelsey Lysander was credited with five saves.
Marquette registered six on goal, with freshmen Danielle Martens and Lisa Philbin, sophomore Kristi Laurenzi and juniors Kelly Wepking and Becky Ryan were each credited with a shot on goal.
The two teams were scoreless until Marquette picked things up in the second frame and scored the first goal of the match in the 60th minute. Sophomore Julia Victor found Martens on the run in the box who then shot the ball low past Lysander for the score. Martens' goal was just the fourth goal allowed by the Fighting Irish this season, and the first time for the season Notre Dame trailed in a match.
Brittany Bock quickly tallied the equalizer two minutes later at the 61:06 mark when she launched her shot to the top right corner out of reach for Kulla. ND then went ahead, 2-1, 86 seconds later thanks to another goal by Bock. Michelle Weissenhofer sent her signature flip throw in right to Bock who headed the ball in past Kulla.
Notre Dame's third and final goal of the afternoon came in the 88th minute after a Marquette defender was called for a foul in the box. Kerri Hanks took the ensuing penalty kick and put it away to cap the 3-1 win.
"In the second half, we played a bit more on our heals. It was a fantastic play by Julia Victor feeding a ball to Danielle Martens who tugged it away for a 1-0 lead. It may have been the first time all year Notre Dame had to play from behind. It was unfortunate that we gave up a couple opportunities right away and they took the lead."
The Golden Eagles will travel to New York this week to play at St. John's on Friday, Oct. 10 and at Syracuse on Sunday, Oct. 12.
