Golden Eagles Fall at DePaul, 3-1

Nov. 1, 2017

CHICAGO - Redshirt junior Grant Owens electrified the Marquette faithful with the game's first goal in the ninth minute, but host DePaul responded with a quick answer and two subsequent tallies for the surprising 3-1 win in the BIG EAST Conference and regular season finale at Wish Field on Wednesday.

Owens notched his team-leading fifth goal of the year in the ninth minute to get the Golden Eagles off to a tremendous start, but it was short-lived. A little over a minute later, DePaul's Istvan Wilhelms found a gap in the MU backline and tapped home a cross to even the score.

Wasting little time, Grant Owens scores to give the Golden Eagles an early, yet brief advantage! pic.twitter.com/f7Js2NCipg
- Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 1, 2017

The Blue Demons (5-11-2, 3-6-1 BIG EAST) added two more, including the final tally with 3:10 remaining in regulation despite being a man-down for the final 23-plus minutes after a second yellow card was issued to Sasa Labovic.

The Golden Eagles (3-11-2, 3-5-1 BIG EAST) put the pressure on in the second half, totaling 14 shots and eight corners, but were unable to find the equalizer before the DPU insurance goal sunk all hopes with little time left.

In the 67th minute, a Brody Kraussel cross in front of goal nearly led to a quality chance as Luka Prpa was left on the back post, but his shot was sent high over the bar.

67' | CHANCE! Golden Eagles with a great opportunity, but can't find the equalizer. pic.twitter.com/vdEzytYI4h
- Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 1, 2017

It was Prpa again in the 83rd with a 1v1 against DePaul keeper Quentin Low on the left side of the goal, but Low made a nice save to preserve the then-one goal lead.

83' | Prpa denied! Golden Eagles desperate for the equalizer and still searching. pic.twitter.com/e9dffrZ333
- Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 1, 2017

With Providence-St. John's ending in a scoreless draw, the Golden Eagles, who finished with 10 points in league play, officially saw their season come to an end. Providence and Creighton, which occupy the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, respectively, finished just one point ahead of Marquette.

Keep up with the Marquette men's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteSoccer).

Postgame thoughts from Coach Bennett regarding the loss and the team's slim chance of still sneaking into the #BEfutbol tournament. pic.twitter.com/1opeIoZq0G
- Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 1, 2017

GOAL SUMMARY
9' | MU | Grant Owens (Unassisted): Received the ball just over the midline and sprinted up the right sideline, beating the keeper far post.

10' | DPU | Istvan Wilhelms (Philipp Konigstein): Cross from the right side by Konigstein to Wilhelms for the tap-in.

50' | DPU | Bryan Simons (Zach El-Shafei): Initial shot by El-Shafei was saved by Noah Heim, but Simons was there to collect and score the easy goal.

87' | DPU | Zach El-Shafei (Michael Mojarro): Long pass from Mojarro from the left side to El-Shafei for the goal.

STARTING XI
Marquette: 31-Heim, 2-Skinner, 5-Cukaj, 6-M. Alba, 8-Kraussel, 9- Szczepanek 11-C. Alba, 12-BÃƒÆ'Ã†'Â¶hm, 14-Prpa, 15-Sanchez, 17-Owens

Subs: 7-Seagrist, 18-Davis

DePaul: 1-Low, 2-Pothast, 3-De Bruijne, 4-Sell, 5-Bowser, 11-El-Shafei, 12-Harrell, 14-Wilhelms, 15-Labovic, 20-Konigstein, 23-Simons

Subs: 6-Cardona, 7-Wustling, 13-Mojarro, 16-Iscra