Men's Soccer Drops BIG EAST Opener at Villanova

Sept. 16, 2017

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Redshirt junior Grant Owens gave the Marquette University men's soccer team an early 1-0 lead with his header in the 18th minute, but host Villanova stormed back on a very hot afternoon with three unanswered goals to take a BIG EAST opening win at the Higgins Soccer Complex on Saturday.

Owens' second goal of the season came on one of many first-half opportunities for the Golden Eagles. Sophomore Connor Alba settled down an MU corner kick that found its way through and delivered a perfect strike to Owens, who headed into the far post to get the visitors on the board in the 18th minute.

Check out @GrantOwens11's second goal of the season to put #MarquetteSoccer ahead 1-0 in the 24th minute! pic.twitter.com/UlnY5yzzYa
- Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 16, 2017

"Throughout the game we had moments," Marquette head coach Louis Bennett said. "Once we got the ball under control and we had good possessions in the attacking third, I thought we sliced through them quite well. I thought in the first half, we could have had several more opportunities to score.

"When we create set pieces, we create opportunities," Bennett added. "I thought with a quality set piece we could've broken in with another one."

Unfortunately, Marquette was unable to find another before the Wildcats (4-3-0) found their equalizer as Theo Quartey provided a brace, scoring his first of the day in the 33rd minute.

After an even first half, it was a much different final 45 minutes. Jack Gilliam added the go-ahead score in the 75th minute before Quartey tacked on an impressive insurance tally in the 85th.

"In the second half, we fixed one thing and (Villanova) decided this was going to be a game they would grind out and see who would last the longest," Bennett said. "Not only did they last the longest, but I thought their third goal was one of the prettier goals I've seen all season.

"Unfortunately, I don't think we were good enough in the second half and that's something we're going to have to make right," Bennett said. "One of the things we need to work on is turning up our level of competitiveness and our level of determination."

Marquette returns to action Saturday, Sept. 23, hosting Seton Hall in the BIG EAST home opener at Valley Fields. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. with a free live stream provided, courtesy of GoMarquette.com.

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
18' | MU | Grant Owens (Connor Alba): MU corner cleared out to Connor Alba, who settled it and delivered a perfect cross to Owens, who sent it far post to put the Golden Eagles ahead, 1-0.

33' | VU | Theo Quartey (Christopher Bared): After an initial save by Barraza, Bared sent in a cross that found its way through heavy traffic and the right foot of Quartey for the goal.

75' | VU | Jack Gilliam (Lucas Hodges): Hodes sent it wide and Gilliam cut inside for a rip inside the near left post.

85' | VU | Theo Quartey (Zach Zandi): Zandi saw his initial shot go off the bar, but Quartey was there on the backside to put home the rebound near post.

STARTING XI
Marquette: 1-Barraza, 2-Skinner, 5-Cukaj, 7-Seagrist, 8-Kraussel, 11-C. Alba, 12-BÃƒÆ'Ã†'Â¶hm, 14-Prpa, 15-Sanchez, 17-Owens, 18-Davis

Subs: 3-Alberts, 9-Szczepanek, 19-Atlija, 23-NÃƒÆ'Ã†'ÂºÃƒÆ'Ã†'Â±ez

Villanova: 1-Steiner, 3-Camacho, 4-Bradley, 5-DePoint, 7-Zandi, 8-Kroschwitz, 9-Polley, 10-Hodges, 13-Bared, 17-Bartosinski, 20-Cueceoglu

Subs: 14-Gilliam, 15-Mellor, 19-Anderson, 27-Quartey

NEXT MATCH
Opponent: Seton Hall
Location: Valley Fields | MKE
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
Time: 7:05 p.m. Central time