Women's soccer suffers tough 2-1 double OT setback to No. 4 Georgetown

MILWAUKEE – Kylie Sprecher scored her first goal of the season and Maddy Henry made 10 saves in a heartbreaking 2-1 double overtime loss to No. 4 Georgetown on Thursday evening at Valley Fields.

The BIG EAST Conference's leading scorer Caitlin Farrell scored her 15th goal of the season in the 102nd minute for the victory as the Hoyas (14-0-2, 7-0-0 BIG EAST) locked up a first-round bye in the BIG EAST tournament.

Sprecher's 62nd minute tally as Marquette's first in the series since 2015, ending a scoreless drought of over 400 minutes against the Hoyas.

Sprecher's goal came on a one-touch from the top of the box as freshman Katie Koker found her in the center of the pitch from the right flank. Koker was set up on the right side by fellow freshman Katrina Wetherell, who recorded her team-best fourth assist of the season.

The goal was Sprecher's first of 2018 after a three-goal, six assist All-BIG EAST Freshman Team campaign a season ago.

The Golden Eagles (3-11-2, 1-5-1 BIG EAST) began the match with a defense-minded starting lineup with both Ryley Bugay and Madison Burrier in the midfield alongside Katrina Wetherell. The two sides played an even opening 45 minutes, though the Hoyas held a 10-4 edge in shots and a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Marquette was able to break free on a couple of counters while packing the center of the pitch early on, leading to a shot by sophomore Kylie Sprecher that hit the crossbar in the 10th minute.

Georgetown made advances in the second half and scored just 10 minutes after Sprecher's goal. The Golden Eagles did not get any shots in the two overtime periods while Georgetown managed to get up five.

GU's first goal of the match came from Kyra Carusa in the 72nd minute to knot the match after Henry had thwarted an earlier penalty kick by the graduate student.
The Golden Eagles return to action in Omaha, Nebraska on Sunday, Oct. 21 against Creighton at Morrison Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. Central time on the BIG EAST Digital Network.

Maddy Henry reacts following a 10 save night vs Georgetown pic.twitter.com/25Ajxgkz41
— MARQUETTE Soccer (@MarquetteWSOC) October 19, 2018

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