Marquette University Athletics
Golden Eagles Open Three-Match Homestand Thursday
9/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 9, 2009
MILWAUKEE -
The Marquette women's soccer team will open a three-match homestand Thursday, Sept. 10 as it hosts Green Bay at Valley Fields. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and will air live on Sports 32 with Matt Menzel and Sean Reti on the call.
The Golden Eagles look to return to their winning ways Thursday after they saw their three-game win streak snapped by top-ranked North Carolina, 1-0, on Sunday despite a hard fought effort. Prior to that loss, Marquette posted shutouts against Rice (1-0), Michigan (1-0) and at UW-Milwaukee (2-0).
"Our team is excited about the upcoming three-game home stretch. Valley Fields is a unique venue in collegiate soccer and we are looking forward to fans coming out," said head coach Markus Roeders. "These are important games for us as we continue to prepare for the BIG EAST schedule. Green Bay has been in several tight matches and we expect them to be fired up coming to Valley Fields."
Roeders feels that with a sound defense and a deep offensive attack, the Golden Eagles (3-2) will continue to improve with each game and earn results. Four different MU players have scored already this season, including seniors Becky Ryan and Michelle Compty who registered goals against UW-Milwaukee.
"We have definitely improved as a team over the past two games and that trend needs to continue. The work rate and intensity are there, defensively our team is working for each other and we are building on our attack, but now those chances need to be converted. Physically and emotionally, I liked how our team approached and played in the win over UW-Milwaukee and the close loss to North Carolina. We played to win both games and that mindset should serve us well playing this week and down the road."
Sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Kulla has been stellar in goal for Marquette. Last weekend at the Inn at Saint Mary's Classic, Kulla totaled six saves while directing the defense and facing 40 shots over the two games. She was rewarded with most valuable goalkeeper honors for her play. Overall, Kulla has played every minute of every game and boasts a 0.59 goals against average which ranks sixth in the BIG EAST.
Green Bay is 1-3 overall while playing all four of its games on the road and has lost its last two contests at Iowa State (2-1) and South Dakota State (1-0). Three different Phoneix players have scored this season led by Corey Arno with three points on one goal and one assist.
Marquette is 12-1 all-time against Green Bay and has won the last 12 straight meetings.
Following its match with the Phoenix, Marquette will host No. 23 Minnesota on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 2:15 p.m. The match is the second game of a Marquette soccer doubleheader. The men's team will play UC Irvine at 12:05 p.m., prior to the women's match.
