Marquette University
Villanova
Marquette to Open BIG EAST Play Against Villanova
9/17/2021 3:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Marquette Opens BIG EAST Play With Match Against Villanova
The Marquette University men's soccer team (3-3) kicks off the BIG EAST portion of its 2021 campaign this weekend, as it plays host to Villanova on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Valley Fields. Despite being picked last in the BIG EAST pre-season poll, the Wildcats have posted a strong 4-1 start to their season, scoring two goals in each of their victories.
Villanova is coached by Lorn Carlin, who is in his 11th season with the program. Junior striker Lyam MacKinnon leads the squad in scoring with three goals on the young season, while also recording two assists, tied for the team-lead with junior midfielder Gray Ricca. In the net, the Wildcats are led by redshirt senior goalkeeper Carson Williams, who has started all five contests while making eight saves and allowing four goals.
All-time, MU has a record of 3-4-1 against Villanova. The Golden Eagles have won each of the previous two contests, though the teams did not meet up last year in a COVID-shortened season.
Hallwood Ranks Among Conference's Elite in Net
MU redshirt junior goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood has proven himself as one of the league's top netminders through the young season. The Halifax, England, native currently ranks second among BIG EAST keepers in total saves with 19, and has spent 557 minutes in net, third in the league. Hallwood's top statistical game this season came at Tulsa, where he posted six saves for a 0.857 save percentage.
Golden Eagles Hope to Replicate Spring Success in BIG EAST Play
The Spring 2021 season was a historic one for Marquette, headlined by a 5-1-1 mark in conference play, the program's best-ever league record. After opening BIG EAST play with a 2-1 double overtime loss to Creighton, the Golden Eagles rattled off six-straight unbeaten matches to head into post season play.
Now in a season in which MU was picked to finish fifth in the pre-season poll, the team looks to replicate that conference play success in the fall. Marquette will face each of the league's 10 squads this year, in a regular season which concludes at home against top-ranked Georgetown on Saturday, Oct. 30. The BIG EAST Championship this season will begin with the quarterfinal round on Saturday, Nov. 6, and will conclude with the title game on Sunday, Nov. 14.
