Marquette Soccer Hosts In-State Foe Wisconsin on Wednesday

MILWAUKEE -- Marquette closes out non-conference play against in-state rival Wisconsin at Valley Fields on Wednesday. The Golden Eagles look to avoid a three-match skid after Saturday's setback at Seton Hall, while the Badgers are coming off a thrilling overtime win at Maryland on Friday.

The two sides have met at least once in each season since Marquette's first year as a program in 1964, marking Wednesday's match as the 58th meeting all-time according to the Marquette Soccer record book. However, the Badgers didn't become an official varsity sport until 1977 from which they have built a 20-14-8 overall record in the series. Wisconsin has taken the last two contests by a combined score of 4-0, including a narrow 1-0 win at Valley Fields in 2016. Since 2010, the Golden Eagles have gone 4-3-1 overall with a 3-1-0 record at home.

Following Wednesday's match, MU jumps back into BIG EAST Conference play for the final seven matches to close out the regular season. Four of the those will take place at Valley Fields, beginning with Georgetown on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Central time. After a road match at Providence on Oct. 6, the Golden Eagles return home for the next two against St. John's (Oct. 13) and Xavier (Oct. 20).

WHERE TO WATCH/FOLLOW THE ACTION

STREAM: GoMarquette.com/Watch
LIVE STATS: GoMarquette.com/sidearmstats/msoc/
TICKETS: GoMarquette.com/tickets or 414-288-GOMU (Next home match: Georgetown - Sept. 29)

OPPONENT FORM

WISCONSIN (12-5-5, 4-3-1 BIG TEN in 2017)
The Badgers are coming off their biggest win of the year after knocking off Maryland, 2-1, in double-overtime on the road. Michael Russell II scored in the final minute of regulation to force extra time before Zach Klancnik notched the game-winner in the 106th minute. It doesn't get any easier after Wednesday as the Badgers face No. 5 Michigan State on Sunday in East Lansing.

Through eight games, Wisconsin has just seven goals from seven different goal scorers on 82 shots, while opponents have scored just 10 goals on 90 shots. Andrew Akindele leads the team with four points on a goal and two assists. In net, Dean Cowdroy sports a 1.17 GAA and a .730 save percentage.
#MARQUETTESOCCER PROJECTED STARTING XI
(3-5-2): Luis Barraza, Oliver Posarelli, Ruben Sanchez, Josh Hancock, Patrick Seagrist, Steffen Böhm, Zak Wegner, Alan Salmeron, Luka Prpa, Connor Alba, Lukas Sunesson
* Based on previous game

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

ALL-TIME SERIES: Wednesday marks the 58th meeting all-time and 55th-straight season that the Golden Eagles and Badgers meet, which dates back to MU's first season in 1964. However, Wisconsin's first official season as a varsity sponsored program wasn't until 1977 and, since then, it holds the all-time edge, 20-14-8, including a 9-7-4 mark at Valley Fields.

Last year, the Badgers clinched their second-straight win in the series with three first-half goals at home. The year prior at Valley Fields, Wisconsin benefited from a 22nd minute goal and held on despite Marquette outshooting them 15-7 with an 8-2 edge in corners. Before the 2016 loss, MU had won three-straight at home with a 5-1 goal differential.

OPPORTUNITY LIES AHEAD: After Wednesday's match vs. Wisconsin, the Golden Eagles play their final seven regular season games against BIG EAST competition. Of their remaining league games, four are at home and three are against teams either ranked or receiving votes: Creighton (No. 9), Xavier (No. 22) and Georgetown (RV). It presents an opportunity to not only move up the BIG EAST standings, but bolster the team's RPI as it tries to build a case for its first NCAA tournament berth since 2013.

MARQUETTE PAYS TRIBUTE TO STEVE ADLARD: Marquette's winningest coach in program history, Steve Adlard, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 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 was instrumental 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.