Marquette Soccer Opens BIG EAST Saturday vs. No. 13 Villanova

MILWAUKEE -- The Golden Eagles, who are looking to shake off the remnants of a three-game skid following Monday's setback to Michigan on the road, open BIG EAST Conference play on Saturday night against No. 13 Villanova at Valley Fields.

After convincing wins over Valparaiso and Central Arkansas to start the season, Marquette has managed just one goal in three games. The Golden Eagles are far more lethal at home this season, where they have outscored their opponents 7-2, and Saturday begins a stretch of four home games in five matches to finish out the month of September.

The Wildcats have risen quickly up the ranks as they check in at No. 13 in this week's United Soccer Coaches' poll. Villanova has won four of their first five matches and is coming off a win over Penn State (2-1), following its first loss of the year to then-No. 11 Clemson (2-0).

A look ahead features in-state rivals Milwaukee (Sept. 19) and Wisconsin (Sept. 26) making their way to Valley Fields with Marquette's first BIG EAST road test at Seton Hall (Sept. 22) sandwiched in.

OPPONENT FORM

VILLANOVA (7-11-0, 2-7-0 BIG EAST in 2017)
After a disappointing 2017 campaign, Villanova was picked to finish eighth according the BIG EAST preseason coaches' poll and, so far, boast one of college soccer's most surprising starts with a 4-1 record and No. 13 national ranking. Each victory has been by the narrowest of margins, including overtime wins against William & Mary and Loyola at home.

Zach Zandi leads the way with four goals and two assists, while Yusuf Cueceoglu and Conor Bradley have combined for the remaining three goals. The Wildcats are outscoring their opponents 7-5 this season. Goalkeeper Carson Williams has two shutouts, plus a 0.97 GAA and an .828 save percentage.
#MARQUETTESOCCER PROJECTED STARTING XI
(4-3-3): Cedrik Stern, Steffen Böhm, Oliver Posarelli, Josh Hancock, Patrick Seagrist, Martin Alba, Zak Wegner, Luka Prpa, Connor Alba, Tode Atlija, Lukas Sunesson
* Based on previous game

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• All-Time Series: This marks the seventh meeting all-time and sixth-straight year that the Golden Eagles and Wildcats will play. Villanova leads the series with a 4-1-1 record and is unbeaten (3-0-1) since Marquette's lone victory in 2013, a 1-0 overtime win on the road. The Golden Eagles have managed just one goal in each of the previous five matchups, including last season's 3-1 setback at Villanova where the 'Cats overcame a Grant Owens header in the 18th minute with three unanswered goals. Theo Quartey scored twice for 'Nova, including a key insurance tally in the 85th minute.

• Milestone Watch: Senior Ruben Sanchez made his 50th career appearance (43 starts) in the game at Michigan on Monday, which leads all active players on the team. Luka Prpa and Connor Alba, who have not missed a single game in their careers, are next on the list with 37 appearances.

• National Hispanic Heritage Night: The first 200 fans through tonight's gate received a "Marquette Fútbol" t-shirt in celebration of the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). The 2018 Golden Eagle roster is comprised of many nationalities (England, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden), including student-athletes that boast hispanic heritage from countries like Mexico, Colombia and Spain.

• Fresh New Faces: Head coach Louis Bennett has employed a different lineup in each of the team's first five games this season. In their previous outing against Michigan, freshman goalkeeper Cedrik Stern made his second start of the season. The only true freshmen to start every match this season for Marquette are Lukas Sunesson and Josh Hancock, while redshirt freshman Zak Wegner has also done so.

• Marquette United: Head coach Louis Bennett and his staff continue to attract talent from all over the world as evidenced by the host of international representation on the roster. This year's roster features players from England, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden, as well as eight different states.

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).