WSOC Hosts Notre Dame Sunday at 12 p.m. CT

The Marquette University women's soccer team (1-0-0) returns to action after a nine-day break to host Notre Dame (1-0-1) at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, August 29 at Valley Fields in non-conference action.

Following Sunday's action, the team will head to Utah for a two-game road trip. Marquette takes on BYU (Sept. 2) and Utah State (Sept. 5) before opening a four-game homestand against UIC on Sept. 9.

Former League Rival Returns
The Golden Eagles and Fighting Irish have met on 10 occasions all time, with all but one coming when both were members of the BIG EAST Conference.

UND owns a 7-3-0 advantage in the series, but the most recent matchup was a 1-0 decision for Marquette in the league tournament semifinals in 2012. Marquette concluded the year 18-2-3 that season, including a 9-0-1 mark in conference action, and earned a divisional title en route to the conference championship.

Wetherell Matches Season High
Entering the 2021 campaign, redshirt junior Katrina Wetherell was in possession of five career goals in 46 appearances.

The Peoria, Arizona, native, who hadn't netted more than two goals in any of her previous three seasons, found the back of the next twice in the season-opening 4-3 win over Central Michigan. Minutes after checking into the game she put home a pass from freshman Maggie Starker for a 2-0 advantage and just 13 minutes later converted on a penalty kick for a 3-0 lead.

Starker Doesn't Waste Time
Freshman Maggie Starker was one of four newcomers to make their respective collegiate debuts in the season opener.

The Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, native quickly illustrated her ability to collect points, finishing with an assist and the game-winning goal in 39 minutes off the bench. Starker concluded her prep career with 206 total points (73 G, 60 A).

Wealth Of Experience Returns
The Golden Eagles return 24 letterwinners and nine total starters (goalkeepers Lauren Schill and Mikki Easter shared time in net) from last season's squad that finished 6-4-0, 4-4-0 BIG EAST in the shortened spring season.

Included in that group is each of the team's top eight scorers from 2020, led by redshirt freshman forward Elsi Twombly, who led the roster with a trio of goals and eight points. She netted a goal in each of her first collegiate matches and was tabbed to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team.

Redshirt junior Katrina Wetherell was named All-BIG EAST Second Team and has started in 43 of her 47 career appearances.

A total of six players own at least 40 career appearances in the Blue & Gold, led by senior Kylie Sprecher's 66 matches (52 starting assignments). Midfielder Maddie Monticello is right behind with 61 games overall and has made 43 starts.

In net, redshirt freshmen Lauren Schill and Mikki Easter split time in 2020. Schill made seven starts and Easter had five of her own, with the duo combining for a 0.98 goals-against-average and a total of 43 saves and four shutouts.

News & Notes

After wearing No. 7 as a freshman in 2020, forward Elsi Twombly will wear No. 22 this year.
Redshirt sophomore Josie Kelderman suffered a right knee injury in the exhibition at Wisconsin and will miss the entire 2021 campaign.

Keep up with the Marquette University women's soccer team through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWSOC) and Instagram (@MarquetteWSOC) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWSOC).