Marquette Soccer Takes Down No. 13 Villanova in BIG EAST Opener

MILWAUKEE — The Golden Eagles made some key adjustments entering their BIG EAST Conference opener against No. 13 Villanova and they paid off in the form of a convincing 3-0 victory at Valley Fields on Saturday.

Junior Connor Alba recorded a goal and an assist in what head coach Louis Bennett deemed his best performance in a Marquette uniform. His goal in the 28th minute was an impressive individual effort and proved to be the game-winner, the second of his career and 10th career goal overall.

Junior Patrick Seagrist scored his third career goal and second this season in the 77th minute, while junior Josh Coan added his first collegiate goal in the 83rd.

Senior Luis Barraza made five saves, and received the help of Oliver Posarelli on a goal line deflection, en route to his eighth career clean sheet and second this season.

Marquette snapped a three-game losing skid and recorded its first victory over a ranked team since a 1-0 overtime win over No. 7 Akron in the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 19, when they host UW-Milwaukee in the 46th Milwaukee Cup at Valley Fields. Kickoff is slated for a 7:05 p.m. Central time start.

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

Watch @connor_alba's great run as he turns on the jets and gives #MarquetteSoccer a 1-0 lead on Villanova in the #BIGEAST opener! #NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/kEvFSVbO8p
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 16, 2018

A look at the left-footed cracker by @Pattyseags in the 77th! #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/l2e5ppJsle
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 16, 2018

MAKE IT THREE! @jcoan98's first career goal has #MarquetteSoccer on their way to 3 points in the #BEfútbol opener! pic.twitter.com/6j4MCA31RU
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 16, 2018

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

A happy chat with @Loobe21 after a hard-earned 3️⃣ points in a 3-0 win over No. 13 Villanova tonight! #BEfútbol #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/7cFBiSGmGY
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 16, 2018

Who @Loobe21 said had his best collegiate game in tonight's win, hear from our Man of the Match, @connor_alba! #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/dXNuWyrVak
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 16, 2018