Marquette University Athletics
Golden Eagles Host Wisconsin Saturday
8/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 15, 2008
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette women's soccer team will take a break from training camp Saturday to host Wisconsin in exhibition play at Valley Fields at 5 p.m. The exhibition match against the Badgers will be a part of the Marquette soccer program's second annual FanFest. FanFest activities will begin at 4:30 p.m., on the turf field. Admission for FanFest and the match is free.
The Golden Eagles have spent the last week training in Waupaca, Wis., and at Camp Whitcomb in Merton, Wis. Following the exhibition match, the team will return to Camp Whitcomb to complete its training camp. Head coach Markus Roeders, who enters his 13th season at the helm of the Golden Eagles, is excited for the season to get underway and for BIG EAST Conference play to begin on September 19.
"Our team has responded extremely well to the first few days of pre-season," said Roeders. "The scrimmage versus Wisconsin will be a good test. Currently, we are putting the foundation in place for the upcoming year. We will play with some heavy legs, but that is all part of preparing for what is ahead of us. Overall, the ladies have worked very hard this summer and practices have been spirited. Being away from campus during this time is extremely valuable and the players have embraced the atmosphere. They are excited, focused and have brought a lot of energy to what we are trying to accomplish."
The Golden Eagles, who finished 12-4-4 overall in 2007, welcome back 19 letterwinners and six starters for the 2008 campaign. MU will have 60.5 percent of its scoring back from 2007 led by sophomore Ashley Bares who was second on the team with 16 points. Marquette will also have an experienced backline anchored by All-BIG EAST Preseason selection Katie Kelly, fellow senior Shannon Cusick, and junior Katie Miller. Joining the team this year are eight newcomers.
Wisconsin returns 13 letterwinners and seven starters led by Taylor Walsh and Tricia Krombach who combined for 19 points in 2007. The Badgers will be looking to improve their 6-11-1 overall record from a season ago.
