Marquette Soccer Readies For First BIG EAST Road Test at Seton Hall

MILWAUKEE -- The Golden Eagles jump back into BIG EAST Conference play on Saturday where they eye a 2-0 start following a convincing 3-0 victory over Villanova in the opener last Saturday. Meanwhile, Seton Hall tries to even its record after a narrow 1-0 setback at St. John's in their league opener.

Marquette, following a one-goal loss to crosstown rival Milwaukee on Wednesday, will refocus its attention on league play as it marches toward a BIG EAST tournament berth for the first time since 2014. A win in South Orange, NJ on Saturday would be the first for the Golden Eagles since 2011 and first win in a league-opening road matchup since 2013.

Saturday's contest will be aired live on the BIG EAST Digital Network with the BIG EAST's own John Fanta calling the action.

After the match at Seton Hall, the Golden Eagles return to Valley Fields for pair of home matches, closing out non-conference action on Wednesday, Sept. 26, with another in-state rivalry game against Wisconsin before Georgetown visits Milwaukee on Saturday, Sept. 29.

WHERE TO WATCH/FOLLOW THE ACTION

STREAM: FoxSportsGO.com
LIVE STATS: SHUPirates.com/sidearmstats/msoc/

OPPONENT FORM

SETON HALL (6-10-1, 3-6-0 BIG EAST in 2017)
The Pirates enter their league home opener on Saturday with a 3-2-1 overall record and an 0-1 mark in league play after falling to St. John's, which made a 10th minute goal hold up in a 1-0 result. Seton Hall bounced back with a midweek non-conference win at Sacred Heart. Nico Andersen (36') and JP Marin (55') each scored their first goals of the season to help the Pirates overcome a first-half deficit.

Andersen is tied with CJ Tibbling (2g, 1a) for the team-lead in points with five, while Tibbling and Carlton McKenzie each have two goals. Andreas Nota sports a 1.10 GAA and .788 save percentage in six starts in goal this season.

#MARQUETTESOCCER PROJECTED STARTING XI

(4-3-3): Luis Barraza, Oliver Posarelli, Leo Villa, Josh Hancock, Patrick Seagrist, Ruben Sanchez, Zak Wegner, Luka Prpa, Connor Alba, Josh Coan, Lukas Sunesson
* Based on previous game

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Golden Eagles hold the all-time series edge over the Pirates, 6-4-3. After going the first five matchups winless, Marquette has turned the tables to go unbeaten in seven of the previous eight matchups with a 2-0 loss in South Orange in 2016 as the lone blemish.

Marquette is seeking its first road win in the series in three tries. Prior to the setback in '16, both teams played to a 3-3 tie in 2014. The last win for MU on the road came in 2011 when then-freshman C. Nortey recorded his seventh, eighth and ninth goals of the season in a 3-0 win. Last season, the Golden Eagles registered a 4-2 win at Valley Fields as Grant Owens, Daniel Szczepanek (2), and Diego Núñez all found the back of the net.

BIG EAST ROAD LID-LIFTERS: After going unbeaten (4-0-3) in seven-straight BIG EAST road openers between 2009-15, the Golden Eagles have stumbled in their previous two such matches, which includes a 2-0 loss at Seton Hall in 2016. Marquette is 4-5-3 in its previous 12 road openers under Louis Bennett.

SEAGRIST CONTRIBUTING AT BOTH ENDS: Junior defender Patrick Seagrist, fresh of his BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week award, scored his second-straight outing as Marquette fell to crosstown rival Milwaukee, 2-1, on Wednesday. It was the Streamwood, Illinois, native's third goal of the season and fourth of his career.

MARQUETTE PAYS TRIBUTE TO STEVE ADLARD: Marquette's winningest coach in program history, Steve Adlard, passed away in his sleep Tuesday morning, succumbing to his long battle with cancer. He guided the Golden Eagles to 140 victories in 14 seasons (1992-2005) and a pair of Conference USA regular season titles, including the 1997 team that earned the first NCAA tournament berth in program history. He was named the Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year in 1993.

Steve was instrumental in making Valley Fields what it is today and served as a key component in establishing the Marquette women's soccer program. He even recruited the first class to take the field in 1993. Steve was more than just a coach on the field. He was a mentor to many individuals and a gifted teacher of this beautiful game. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Marquette will honor Coach Adlard by wearing a black armband for the remainder of the season.

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. The flags of all nation's represented by this year's roster are displayed behind both team benches during home matches at Valley Fields.