Marquette Soccer Draws vs. UIC in Home Opener

Sept. 1, 2017

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MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University men's soccer team rallied in the second half on a Luka Prpa 80th-minute goal to earn a 2-2 draw in the regular season home opener at Valley Fields Friday night.

Freshman Brendan Skinner helped the Golden Eagles (0-1-1) capitalize in the ninth minute with a superb header of a Connor Alba corner kick to give Marquette a 1-0 lead. UIC would answer back with a pair of first half tallies, before Prpa finally notched the equalizer with 10 minutes left in regulation.

Brendan Skinner (@Skinnythepinny) with postgame remarks following his first career goal. #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/NAN9HUnVhk
- Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 2, 2017

Following Skinner's first career goal, the Golden Eagles experienced a bit of a letdown for the remainder of the first as UIC assumed control of the match and determined the tempo offensively.

The Flames (1-1-1) tied the game in the 20th minute with a goal by Oscar Gonzalez and took the lead on a Jose Fuentes goal in the 34th.

Postgame reaction from @Loobe21 following tonight's 2-2 draw vs. UIC in the home opener. #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/RraxhV8ABJ
- Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 2, 2017

MU regrouped and outshot UIC 15-8 in the second half and overtime. Prpa's equalizer culminated a flurry of opportunities for the Golden Eagles that continually knocked on the door in the later stages of the match.

Prpa nearly gave Marquette the lead back in the 81st minute as his left-footed volley went just wide of the near post. Moments later, Alba fired away, aiming for the upper left corner, but UIC keeper Sawyer Jackman made a remarkable fingertip save.

MU finished the match with a 23-15 shots advantage with a 10-6 edge in shots on goal. MU keeper Luis Barraza made four saves in net, while his counterpart notched eight saves.

MU returns to action on Monday, Sept. 4, to take on its third NCAA tournament qualifier in as many games to start the 2017 season when New Mexico visits Valley Fields. Kickoff is slated for 7:05 p.m.

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).

GOAL SUMMARY
9' | MU | Brendan Skinner (Connor Alba): Corner kick served by Alba to the far post. Skinner's header found the back of the net inside the left post.

20' | UIC | Oscar Gonzalez (Jesus Perez): Perez cross to the right foot of Gonzalez who scored inside right post.

34' | UIC | Jose Fuentes (Albert Arabik, Jesus Perez): Fuentes scored from 8 yards out.

80' | MU | Luka Prpa (Patrick Seagrist): Ball pushed forward by Seagrist at the wing, who cross it into the box for Prpa, who redirected the header past the keeper.

STARTING XI
Marquette: 1-Barraza, 2-Skinner, 5-Cukaj, 6-Alba, M., 7-Seagrist, 8-Kraussel, 11-Alba, C., 12-BÃƒÆ'Ã†'Â¶hm, 14-Prpa, 15-Sanchez, 17-Owens

UIC: 3-Leon, 5-Garcia, 6-Perez, 8-Gonzalez, 10-Guzman, 12-Cervantes, 13-Ghezali, 15-Verritos, 20-Fuentes, 21-Vega, 22-Jackman

NEXT MATCH
Opponent: New Mexico
Location: Valley Fields
Date: Monday, Sept. 4
Time: 7:05 p.m. Central time