Marquette Soccer Takes on Xavier in Cincinnati Saturday
10/20/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
| 2017 Marquette Men's Soccer - Match 13 | |
| Marquette (2-8-2, 2-2-1 BIG EAST) at Xavier (7-4-2, 2-3-0 BIG EAST) | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 6 p.m. CT |
| Location | XU Soccer Complex | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Live Links | Live Stats | BEDN  |
| Social Media | Twitter  (in-game updates) | Facebook  | Instagram  |
| Notes, etc. | Match Notes  |
MILWAUKEE -- The Marquette University men's soccer team is coming off a thrilling win over St. John's last time out and now looking to make it two consecutive BIG EAST victories when it takes on Xavier Saturday night in Cincinnati. The Golden Eagles hope to continue their climb up the BIG EAST standings, entering play in a tie for third place. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. Central time and will be streamed live on the BIG EAST Digital Network.
KEY STORYLINES
- The Golden Eagles are flying high after a stunning, 1-0, double-overtime win at St. John's last Saturday. The three points vaulted MU from a tie for seventh to a tie for third place in the BIG EAST.
- Marquette leads Xavier in the all-time series with a record of 5-2. It was a convincing 4-1 win in Milwaukee last time out. MU will try to avenge a heartbreaking 1-0 overtime loss at Xavier in 2015.
- Saturday's match will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network at 6 p.m. Central time.
- Head Games: Marquette's first five goals in 2017 were all scored off of headers, including Grant Owens' third of the season to get MU on the board in a 4-2 win over Seton Hall. The seven goals since have been via the non-header variety, thanks to Daniel Szczepanek (2), Diego NÃÆ'Æ'ºÃÆ'Æ'±ez (2), Jason Davis, Brendan Skinner and Connor Alba.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Golden Eagles stunned the home crowd with a thrilling 1-0 double-overtime win at St. John's on Saturday. Connor Alba volleyed a Brody Kraussel cross that was flicked on by Jason Davis and sneaked it inside the near post and past the diving keeper with 26 seconds left. MU outshot the Red Storm, 4-1, in the final overtime session.
- Alba finished with a match-best three shots, landing two on target. He also ricocheted a header off the crossbar in the 78th minute that kept the match scoreless. Luis Barraza made three saves to pick up his sixth career shutout. Manuel Cukaj assisted the backline in his first appearance in six games, playing big minutes and earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors.
SCOUTING THE MUSKETEERS
- Xavier sports a 7-4-2 overall record with a 2-3-0 mark in BIG EAST action. The Musketeers were pegged sixth in the league preseason poll and received votes United Soccer Coaches' Poll earlier this season following wins at No. 22 Boston College and No. 9 Georgetown. Currently, Xavier is trying to snap a two-match skid following losses at Villanova (2-1) and Creighton (4-1).
- The Musketeers average 1.85 goals per game, outscoring opponents 24-18 this season, but have managed just a goal in each of their previous two contests. Matt Vasquenza leads XU with 15 points on six goals and three assists, followed by Simen Hestnes and Samson Sergi with 14 points each. Zachary Nelson has played every minute in goal for Xavier, sporting a 1.32 GAA with 38 saves and a save percentage of .679.
COMING UP NEXT
- Marquette closes out the home portion with crucial BIG EAST match-ups against Butler (Oct. 25) and Creighton (Oct. 28; Senior Night). Wednesday's kickoff vs. the Bulldogs is slated for 7:05 p.m. Central time with live streaming available via BIG EAST Digital Network and FOX Sports Go.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. XAVIER
- The Golden Eagles and Musketeers have met seven times previously with MU holding the overall edge, 5-2. Marquette snapped a two-match skid - both 1-0 losses - with a convincing 4-1 triumph at home last season after racing out to a 3-1 halftime lead on a first-half brace by Luka Prpa. Xavier's Matt Vasquenza made it 2-1 in the 25th before Daniel Szczepanek and Connor Alba added the final tallies in the 41st and 48th minutes. XU held a 21-8 advantage in shots. Luis Barraza made nine saves in the win.
- MU is 2-1 all-time in Cincinnati, dropped its lone match in the Queen City back in 2015, falling in heartbreaking fashion, 1-0, in overtime. It was Vasquenza in the 95th minute on a tough angle to break a scoreless tie. Xavier triumphed despite being held to just three shots in the second half and overtime. The Golden Eagles were unable to convert any of their nine corners earned.
OVERTIME STUNNER LEADS TO BIG EAST AWARDS FOR CUKAJ, ALBA
- Saturday's 1-0 double-overtime win at St. John's marked the first clean sheet for the Golden Eagle defense this season - a long-overdue achievement for a hard-working, young backline. Manuel Cukaj, who missed some time due to injury, returned for the first time in six games with 71 very productive minutes off the bench and was awarded with BIG EAST Freshman of the Week accolades.
- Sophomore Connor Alba, who scored the game-winner with 26 seconds left, was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. That marks the fourth-straight week a Golden Eagle has made the honor roll with Daniel Szczepanek (Sept. 25), Diego NÃÆ'Æ'ºÃÆ'Æ'±ez (Oct. 2) and Jason Davis (Oct. 9) honored previously.
MARQUETTE CLAIMS TEAM ACADEMIC HONOR FROM UNITED SOCCER COACHES
- For the ninth consecutive season, the Marquette men's and women's soccer programs were recognized by the United Soccer Coaches for their excellence in the classroom, earning the Team Academic award for the 2016-17 academic year.
- Each year, the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA) honor college programs for their exemplary performance in the classroom that meet or exceed a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). Individually, sophomore Luka Prpa led the way with a 4.0 GPA in each semester.
