Men's Soccer To Wrap Up Mrquette Invitational Sunday

Sept. 12, 2009

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MILWAUKEE - Marquette looks to rebound from Friday's disappointing loss to the University at Buffalo as the Golden Eagles get set to wrap up the Marquette Invitational this Sunday against No. 9/8 UC Irvine. Kickoff against the Anteaters is set for 12:05 p.m. at Valley Fields.

KEY STORYLINES
For the second straight year the Golden Eagles play host to the Marquette Invitational, which once again welcomes fellow BIG EAST member DePaul, along with Buffalo (MAC) and UC Irvine (Big West). UC?Irvine comes into Sunday's contest ranked No. 9 in the latest NSCAA/adidas poll, making the Anteaters (3-1) the second ranked opponent (L, 0-2 at No. 21 Drake) that MU has faced in four matches to begin the 2009 season. MU is still looking for its first win over a national ranked opponent, having come up short in 11 previous attempts under head coach Louis Bennett.

FRIDAY'S RESULTS
DePaul came from two goals behind to defeat UC?Irvine 3-2 on Friday, while Marquette suffered a 4-0 setback against Buffalo in the nightcap.

INVITE HISTORY
This weekend marks the second year of the Marquette Invitational. Last year's tourney featured the host Golden Eagles, along with BIG EAST Conference member DePaul against the Ivy League's Columbia and Pennsylvania. DePaul picked up three points by opening with a 1-0 decision over Columbia, but Penn eventually took home the inaugural team trophy by defeating the Blue Demons, 2-0. MU played Columbia and Penn to scoreless draws to finish third with two points. Goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski, midfielder Matt Stummer and defender Billy Von Rueden represented the Golden Eagles on the all-tournament squad.

SERIES HISTORY
Friday will be the first ever meeting between Marquette and UC?Irvine.

LAST TIME OUT
MU fell to Buffalo 4-0 Friday in its opening match of the Marquette Invitational. Despite the lopsided decision, the Golden Eagles out-shot the Bulls 19-12, including 12-1 in the first half. MU?also tallied 19 corner kicks but was unable to convert on any of its opportunities.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT
UC?Irvine is ranked as high as No. 8 (Soccer America) in this week's national rankings and climbed five spots to No. 9 in the latest NSCAA/adidas poll. Amani Walker earned national recognition after scoring game-winning goals last week against Santa Clara and Long Island. He was also named MVP of the UC?Irvine College Classic. Irving Garcia was named to Soccer America's Preseason All-America second team heading into the 2009 season