Marquette Remains Undefeated in Spring Play

April 18, 2011

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University women's soccer team continued its strong play this spring season and went undefeated Sunday with a win and a shutout against a pair of Big Ten Conference teams at Valley Fields. The Golden Eagles defeated Illinois, 2-1, and played to a scoreless draw against Wisconsin. Marquette stands 3-0-1 overall in its spring exhibition season.

"It was a positive day for us and we moved forward with our goals for the spring," said head coach Markus Roeders. "We played two high caliber teams and did well. Our improvements over the past two weeks have been positive."

The Golden Eagles started the day with a 2-1 win over Illinois. Ashley Stemmeler got Marquette on the board early in the first half with her goal in the 10th minute. Taylor Madigan got on the end of Rachael Sloan's service and flicked it over to Stemmeler who knocked it in.

Kate Reigle made it 2-0 when she scored her first goal of the spring in the 51st minute. Sam Vicker fed the ball to Reigle who turned and finished her shot from 18 yards out.

"We played 70 minutes of great soccer," said Roeders of the team's effort versus Illinois. "The windy conditions made it tricky for both teams. We dictated large portions of the match and probably could have scored a couple more goals. It helped that we scored early in the game and shortly after halftime. It allowed us to possess the ball and build our attack. Overall, we held a large amount of possession and our defending was very sound."

Illinois registered its lone goal of the day in the 74th minute. Big Ten Freshman of the Year Vanessa DiBernardo fired her rocket of a shot to the far post out of reach for goalkeeper Sofie Schunk .

"Illinois is a good team and their finish by DiBernardo was an excellent strike. It came during a stretch when they had gained some momentum during the middle of the second half. Overall, it was a good match and we showed our class in all aspects of what we want to accomplish on the field," said Roeders.

Natalie Kulla and Schunk split time in net with Kulla playing the first 45 minutes and Schunk logging the entire second half. For the game, the Golden Eagles owned a 10-7 shot advantage.

Later Sunday afternoon, despite outshooting the Badgers, 12-3, the Golden Eagles tied Wisconsin, 0-0, in 90 minutes of action. Meagan Kelly, Lindsey Page, Rachel Brown, Sloan and Reigle all had great scoring opportunities but were unable to convert for the Golden Eagles.

In net, Kulla played the first 45 minutes, while Julia Loyd saw her first action of the spring season and preserved MU's shutout in the second frame. Kulla stopped all three of the Badgers' first-half attempts.

"I am pleased how we got better and set the tone as the game progressed. We started slowly and Wisconsin had more energy in the beginning. Our defense was solid throughout though and we didn't give them many chances. Over 90 minutes, we kept building possession and the second half was mostly played in their end of the field. Our team did everything they could to score but the ball just didn't find the back of the net. Give the Badgers and their keeper credit because she made several great saves. If we would have been a little less eager and combined more in the final third, we would have scored. Our determination and desire to earn a win was there. We are pleased because there were many positives to be taken from this match," said Roeders.

The Golden Eagles will be back in action Tuesday, April 19 when they travel to play at reigning NCAA Champion, Notre Dame, at 7 p.m.

"The match ahead versus Notre Dame will be another good challenge. Add to it that we are coming of two matches today, our legs will be a little heavy so our mental game has to be even sharper. It is a tough but calculated stretch of games and ultimately our goal is to get better every day. Notre Dame is the defending national champion and that is motivation enough for us to play our very best on Tuesday. We won't make any excuses for not being 100 percent," said Roeders.