Marquette University
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Western Michigan
Golden Eagles Shutout Western Michigan, 2-0
9/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 20, 2009
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Marquette women's soccer team earned its fourth straight win Sunday afternoon in the form of an 2-0 shutout of Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Mich. Senior Becky Ryan and junior Lauren Thut each scored a goal for the Golden Eagles who improve to 7-2 overall.
"We are happy with the win," said head coach Markus Roeders. "It wasn't our best performance, but we worked hard and the goals came. The sharpness and crispness of our game was missing which allowed for fundamental mistakes that are uncharacteristic of our squad. It also made the game less predictable and more difficult to read. But, the mark of a good team is the ability to win under any circumstances. It was a good effort because it isn't easy to win on the road. West Virginia is next so we know our game has to be at a higher level."
After a scoreless first half in which Marquette launched 11 shots, four on goal, Ryan tallied first in the 54th minute. Sophomore Ashley Bares served in the ball where Ryan got her head on it and knocked it in far post past Bronco keeper Julia Francy.
Five minutes later at the 58:36 mark, Western Michigan was called for a foul leaving Thut, one of MU's free kick specialists, to take the ensuing free kick. Thut's rocket from near midfield found the back of the net after it slipped through Francy's hands to put the score at 2-0.
Marquette kept pushing on offense for the remainder of the half, firing off three shots and three corner kicks, but was unable to put any of those attempts in the back of the net.
"Lauren's goal was a bid surprising since it was a long free kick and after Ashley came across the goalkeeper, the ball just went past the goalie in the net. We could have scored a few more but give credit to Western Michigan for hanging in there and competing well," said Roeders.
For the game, Marquette outshot the Broncos, 20-6, and put 11 of those shots on target. Sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Kulla registered her sixth shutout of the season and made three saves.
The Golden Eagles will be back in action Thursday, Sept. 24 at West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.ET/6 p.m. CT.
