Marquette University Athletics
Marquette Caps Spring Season in Florida
4/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
April 22, 2008
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Marquette women's soccer team wrapped up its spring season with a 1-0 win over Miami (Fla.), 0-0 draw with Florida Gulf Coast and a 0-1 loss at Florida Atlantic Saturday in Boca Raton, Fla. Marquette played a 70-minute match against FAU and 60-minute matches against the Hurricanes and Eagles. The Golden Eagles finished the spring season 5-2-3 overall.
"We enjoyed a good trip to Florida," said head coach Markus Roeders. "With a little better finishing, we should have won each game but the team learned from the results and how we played. The warm weather challenged us, but the ladies showed how much their fitness training has paid off throughout the spring."
The Golden Eagles came out flat in their first match against FAU and allowed the only goal they gave up for the day midway through the first half. An FAU player served the ball to a teammate who knocked it in with her head. Marquette applied more pressure and had great opportunities in the second half, but FAU countered with stonewall defense and MU couldn't finish. For the match, the Golden Eagles out-shot FAU, 11-4.
"It was a sluggish start versus Florida Atlantic and the goal against was a direct result of our miscues. The second half was much improved and had chances to tie the match," said Roeders.
It was a complete turnaround for Marquette against Miami where the Golden Eagles dominated much of the action. After a scoreless first half, Marquette continued to press and found the back of the net in the final minute of the match. Julia Victor played a nice ball to Kristi Laurenzi who flicked the ball around a defender and finished with a rocket past Miami's keeper.
Marquette had an arsenal of attackers against Miami with Victor launching two shots, while Katie Miller, Lauren Acree, Brittany Bares and Laurenzi each taking one.
"The first half versus Miami was outstanding as we played entertaining soccer. We moved the ball well, created opportunities and limited most build-up play by them. We pressed hard at the end of the match and it was great to see how the team was rewarded by the late goal," said Roeders.
In the final match of the afternoon, which came almost immediately following the Golden Eagles' match with Miami, Marquette kept most of the action on Florida Gulf Coast's side of the field. The Golden Eagles owned a 10-1 shots differential, but was unable to find the back of the net. Danielle Martens led the attack with two shots.
"Without much rest, we finished the day versus Florida Gulf Coast. Despite solid play on tired legs, we dominated but didn't finish our chances. Overall, I thought it was a very good finish to our spring season," said Roeders.
