Men's Soccer Outlasts Xavier in Penalties, Advances to BIG EAST Semifinals

MILWAUKEE — Fourth-seeded Marquette is headed back to the BIG EAST Championship semifinals for the first time since 2013 after taking down fifth-seeded Xavier in a penalty kick shootout at Valley Fields on Saturday.

Just like the first time both teams met, the Musketeers (6-7-6) took a 1-0 lead after 45 minutes, and the Golden Eagles (7-8-2) responded with two unanswered second-half goals. However, in this one, Xavier answered back to force overtime before Marquette triumphed in penalties, 7-6. It took nine rounds, including a final round save from the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Luis Barraza, but Leo Villa kept the Golden Eagles' season alive with his game-winner.

Luka Prpa (64') and Diego Núñez (72') both scored after halftime to give the Golden Eagles a brief one-goal advantage. Patrick Seagrist was instrumental as well, tallying assists on both goals to bring his season point total to 11, including five helpers. For Prpa, it was his fifth goal of the season and fifth career goal against Xavier, including his third against the Musketeers this year.

WE'RE TIED! @Luka_Prpa from @Pattyseags! It's Prpa's fifth goal of the season and fifth career goal against Xavier (3rd this season against the Musketeers)! #MarquetteSoccer #BEfutbol #NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/IIndLh9Q16
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 4, 2018

After missing the first meeting back on Oct. 18 due to injury, Derrick Otim made his presence felt by scoring the first Xavier goal in the 12th minute. Then, with just 8 minutes remaining in regulation, Samson Sergi provided his fourth goal in the last two games, and ninth this season, to send the match to overtime.

After 20 minutes of extra time didn't settle it, the match went to penalty kicks where Villa sent the Marquette faithful home in dramatic fashion.

Barraza had six total saves in regulation and both overtimes with five of those coming after the first 45 minutes. His brilliant finger-tip save in the first overtime was the most impressive, while his ninth-round stop in the shootout was his most important.

94' | SAVE! @luisbarrazaa saves the season for the Golden Eagles, makes this acrobatic save to keep things tied up in the first extra session! #Wow #NCAASoccer #BEfutbol pic.twitter.com/qGWHfRfWea
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 4, 2018

The Golden Eagles advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2013 when they defeated Butler and Providence on the way to hoisting the program's first BIG EAST championship. They battled Creighton on the road just 10 days ago, suffering a narrow 2-1 setback in an otherwise evenly played match.

They'll advance on to face those same Bluejays, the top-seed and No. 14-ranked team in the country, on Wednesday, Nov. 7, in Omaha.

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).

HC @Loobe21 knows what it takes to win a @BIGEAST title after hoisting the 🏆 in 2013. His team is one step closer after tonight's quarterfinal win over Xavier. #MarquetteSoccer #BEfutbol pic.twitter.com/y2NoIgkTIh
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 4, 2018