Marquette University Athletics
WSOC Celebrates 30 Seasons Of Success
10/12/2022 9:48:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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Marquette welcoming alumni back weekend of Oct. 13-16
Pride. Family. Tradition.
Those words serve as the foundation for Marquette University women's soccer, which is competing in its 30th this season in 2022.
For third-year head coach Frank Pelaez, who was also with the program for 19 years (1996-2014) as an assistant and associate head coach, the program represents each of those traits, along with too many memories to recall, nicknames, baggy Umbro uniforms and weddings.
"Some of my best memories of being at Marquette and coaching these women have come from invitations to their weddings," Pelaez said. "That to me is very special. To be included means we had a bigger impact on their lives than just as coaches."
It didn't take long for the Marquette program to have an impact on the field. Still just a fledgling program after its first campaign in 1993, Marquette collected its first winning season in 1996. The Golden Eagles returned all 11 starters from the previous year and with the addition of eventual M Club Hall of Fame selection and all-time leading scorer Kelly Roethe (49 goals, 123 points), posted a 16-6-1 record under first-year head coach Markus Roeders.
"I will never forget the January morning in 1993 when Bill Cords walked into Steve Adlard's office and told us the university would start a varsity program that fall," Roeders said. "That spring we focused on incorporating the women's club team and recruiting players without knowing who would be the head coach."
Marquette's first senior class advanced to the title match of the Conference USA Tournament (regular season co-champions) and began a run of 22-straight seasons with a .500-or-better record (24 overall).
"That season was special for that first group of seniors," Pelaez said. "They started the program, hadn't had a lot of success the first few years and were ecstatic to start winning meaningful games. They were the group that got everything rolling."
The 1997 campaign was highlighted by another regular season league title and two years later Marquette made its first NCAA tournament appearance after claiming its first of back-to-back conference tourney championships.
Between 1999 and 2013, Marquette collected 12 NCAA championships trips, four conference tournament titles and seven conference regular season trophies. Included in that run is one of the most impressive league runs by any program in the country. From 2010-13, Marquette posted a remarkable 39-1-1 mark in BIG EAST Conference action during the regular season.
"It was a crazy last two weeks of the 1999 season because the conference tournament structure was three matches in four days," Roeders said. "We finally got over the hump and won the title on a Sunday, before having to play at Missouri on Wednesday and at Clemson Saturday night."
That approach by the coaching staff certainly had its merits, not only in terms of developing student-athletes as players and people, but ultimately led to tremendous team and individual success.Â
Consider just a few of the highlights:
The Players
Well over 300 players have worn the Blue and Gold for Marquette since 1993, earning over 350 victories and counting. A glance through the program's record book identifies all of the individuals responsible for the success, but doesn't list another team tradition. Nicknames.
Nicknames are popular with nearly all teams, but Marquette soccer takes it to the next level. Pelaez quickly compiled a list of over 75 nicknames, with a few of the best selections including Bear, Bizkit, Buffy, Squirrel, Blade, Rambo, Umpa, Mike Tyson, Meatball, Noodles, Prof and Sauce.
"The common thread is they're all such good people, faith oriented, supportive and they want to volunteer and make a difference in people's lives, especially after they graduate," Pelaez said. "They were all talented players, but more importantly great people."
Marquette's historic individual success is as impressive on the field as it is in the classroom. The Golden Eagles have had at least two players earn all-conference honors since 1994 and the team is consistently honored on the all-academic team list. Former MU players have also represented the school in the professional ranks and multiple players have participated with their respective national teams.
"Congratulations to all the players, the coaches, managers, trainers and support staff," Roeders said. "A few baby-step years turned into a highly successful top-ranked national program within a few years and has sustained it over time."Â
"Wins, championships, national rankings, postseason runs and NCAA tournament successes were possible due to the players who fully committed to Marquette, each other and the program," Roeders added. "From the very beginning, there was a hunger and desire to be successful on and off the field and achieve a level of excellence that was sustained across different leagues over decades."Â
As much as Pelaez appreciates what the group of former Marquette players has given to the program on the field and through community service while on campus, he is equally as grateful for their continued support and engagement with the team.
"They want to share their story," Pelaez said. "They are so proud of their university and the teams that we have had here. The coolest thing is they want their kids to see our players, tell them 'look I used to wear that jersey,' and have it mean something to them. That's more rewarding than anything."
The Coaches
Marquette has had just four head coaches in its 30 seasons of competition, with Pelaez currently in his third campaign as the program mentor.
Jill McCartney guided the program through its inaugural campaign in 1993, leading the team to a 6-10-2 overall record. Mary Howard took over in 1994 and over the course of two campaigns helped MU to 15 victories in its first two years of league affiliation.
Roeders, who quickly developed the young team into a dominant program, took over in 1996 after serving as an assistant for both the men's and women's programs. He posted an overall record of 325-148-51 in 24 seasons as head coach, leading the program to 13 NCAA tournaments and 10 regular-season league titles.
"It was a great honor, privilege and humbling experience to have played a part over most of the 30 years," Roeders said. "The success and credit always goes to the players who lived it every day, coaches, support staff and many others."
"We just tried to create a path for teams to be successful," Roeders added. "Players invest their time, energy, sweat, physical and mental strength, tears of joy and occasional sadness and cheering voices. Many, many very smart, talented and unselfish players have worn the uniform and helped build a highly successful, nationally recognized and championship-level program over the past 30 years."
Nearly every All-America, all-region and all-conference honoree in the program's record book occurred during his tenure and the team also enjoyed tremendous success in the classroom as well. Roeders led Marquette to 22 seasons with .500-or-better records and finished with an overall record of 98-30-14 in league play.
"Markus embodied everything that Marquette stood for when it came to success and being able to give to others," Pelaez said. "It was always an 'us' thing when it came to success. He didn't want the glory and that's what made him a special person."
Pelaez was named the program's fourth head coach on Dec. 24, 2019 and guided the squad to a winning record in each of his first two seasons back at Valley Fields.
The Moments
Those words serve as the foundation for Marquette University women's soccer, which is competing in its 30th this season in 2022.
For third-year head coach Frank Pelaez, who was also with the program for 19 years (1996-2014) as an assistant and associate head coach, the program represents each of those traits, along with too many memories to recall, nicknames, baggy Umbro uniforms and weddings.
"Some of my best memories of being at Marquette and coaching these women have come from invitations to their weddings," Pelaez said. "That to me is very special. To be included means we had a bigger impact on their lives than just as coaches."
It didn't take long for the Marquette program to have an impact on the field. Still just a fledgling program after its first campaign in 1993, Marquette collected its first winning season in 1996. The Golden Eagles returned all 11 starters from the previous year and with the addition of eventual M Club Hall of Fame selection and all-time leading scorer Kelly Roethe (49 goals, 123 points), posted a 16-6-1 record under first-year head coach Markus Roeders.
"I will never forget the January morning in 1993 when Bill Cords walked into Steve Adlard's office and told us the university would start a varsity program that fall," Roeders said. "That spring we focused on incorporating the women's club team and recruiting players without knowing who would be the head coach."
Marquette's first senior class advanced to the title match of the Conference USA Tournament (regular season co-champions) and began a run of 22-straight seasons with a .500-or-better record (24 overall).
"That season was special for that first group of seniors," Pelaez said. "They started the program, hadn't had a lot of success the first few years and were ecstatic to start winning meaningful games. They were the group that got everything rolling."
The 1997 campaign was highlighted by another regular season league title and two years later Marquette made its first NCAA tournament appearance after claiming its first of back-to-back conference tourney championships.
Between 1999 and 2013, Marquette collected 12 NCAA championships trips, four conference tournament titles and seven conference regular season trophies. Included in that run is one of the most impressive league runs by any program in the country. From 2010-13, Marquette posted a remarkable 39-1-1 mark in BIG EAST Conference action during the regular season.
"It was a crazy last two weeks of the 1999 season because the conference tournament structure was three matches in four days," Roeders said. "We finally got over the hump and won the title on a Sunday, before having to play at Missouri on Wednesday and at Clemson Saturday night."
That approach by the coaching staff certainly had its merits, not only in terms of developing student-athletes as players and people, but ultimately led to tremendous team and individual success.Â
Consider just a few of the highlights:
- 119 | All-Conference Honorees
- 49 | All-Region Selections
- 19 | National Team Appearances
- 17 | All-Americans
- 13 | NCAA Tournament Trips
- 10 | Regular-Season Conference Titles
- 4 | Conference Tournament Championships
The Players
Well over 300 players have worn the Blue and Gold for Marquette since 1993, earning over 350 victories and counting. A glance through the program's record book identifies all of the individuals responsible for the success, but doesn't list another team tradition. Nicknames.
Nicknames are popular with nearly all teams, but Marquette soccer takes it to the next level. Pelaez quickly compiled a list of over 75 nicknames, with a few of the best selections including Bear, Bizkit, Buffy, Squirrel, Blade, Rambo, Umpa, Mike Tyson, Meatball, Noodles, Prof and Sauce.
"The common thread is they're all such good people, faith oriented, supportive and they want to volunteer and make a difference in people's lives, especially after they graduate," Pelaez said. "They were all talented players, but more importantly great people."
Marquette's historic individual success is as impressive on the field as it is in the classroom. The Golden Eagles have had at least two players earn all-conference honors since 1994 and the team is consistently honored on the all-academic team list. Former MU players have also represented the school in the professional ranks and multiple players have participated with their respective national teams.
"Congratulations to all the players, the coaches, managers, trainers and support staff," Roeders said. "A few baby-step years turned into a highly successful top-ranked national program within a few years and has sustained it over time."Â
"Wins, championships, national rankings, postseason runs and NCAA tournament successes were possible due to the players who fully committed to Marquette, each other and the program," Roeders added. "From the very beginning, there was a hunger and desire to be successful on and off the field and achieve a level of excellence that was sustained across different leagues over decades."Â
As much as Pelaez appreciates what the group of former Marquette players has given to the program on the field and through community service while on campus, he is equally as grateful for their continued support and engagement with the team.
"They want to share their story," Pelaez said. "They are so proud of their university and the teams that we have had here. The coolest thing is they want their kids to see our players, tell them 'look I used to wear that jersey,' and have it mean something to them. That's more rewarding than anything."
The Coaches
Marquette has had just four head coaches in its 30 seasons of competition, with Pelaez currently in his third campaign as the program mentor.
Jill McCartney guided the program through its inaugural campaign in 1993, leading the team to a 6-10-2 overall record. Mary Howard took over in 1994 and over the course of two campaigns helped MU to 15 victories in its first two years of league affiliation.
Roeders, who quickly developed the young team into a dominant program, took over in 1996 after serving as an assistant for both the men's and women's programs. He posted an overall record of 325-148-51 in 24 seasons as head coach, leading the program to 13 NCAA tournaments and 10 regular-season league titles.
"It was a great honor, privilege and humbling experience to have played a part over most of the 30 years," Roeders said. "The success and credit always goes to the players who lived it every day, coaches, support staff and many others."
"We just tried to create a path for teams to be successful," Roeders added. "Players invest their time, energy, sweat, physical and mental strength, tears of joy and occasional sadness and cheering voices. Many, many very smart, talented and unselfish players have worn the uniform and helped build a highly successful, nationally recognized and championship-level program over the past 30 years."
Nearly every All-America, all-region and all-conference honoree in the program's record book occurred during his tenure and the team also enjoyed tremendous success in the classroom as well. Roeders led Marquette to 22 seasons with .500-or-better records and finished with an overall record of 98-30-14 in league play.
"Markus embodied everything that Marquette stood for when it came to success and being able to give to others," Pelaez said. "It was always an 'us' thing when it came to success. He didn't want the glory and that's what made him a special person."
Pelaez was named the program's fourth head coach on Dec. 24, 2019 and guided the squad to a winning record in each of his first two seasons back at Valley Fields.
The Moments
- Sept. 4, 1993 | Marquette plays the program's first match, a 1-0 setback at Evansville
- Sept. 8, 1993 | Lezlie Barrett, who would finish the season with a team-high nine scores, nets Marquette's first goal in a 1-1 draw at SIU-Edwardsville
- Sept. 19, 1993 | Barrett scores the lone goal in a 1-0 win at Teikyo Westmar to secure the program's first victory
- Sept. 16, 1994 | Marquette defeats Cincinnati 2-1 at home to claim the team's first league victory in its first and only season in the Great Midwest Conference
- Nov. 1, 1996 | Marquette defeats USF 5-0 on the road to claim share of Conference USA regular season title with a 8-1-0 record
- Nov. 6, 1999Â | MU defeats Charlotte 2-1 in overtime to claim program's first conference tournament title and NCAA tournament bid
- Nov. 10, 1999 | Golden Eagles defeat Missouri 2-1 on the road for first NCAA win
- Nov. 2, 2000 | Marquette claims a 4-1 victory in the Conference USA Tournament for the program's 100th overall victory and goes on to claim second-straight C-USA tourney title and NCAA appearance
- 2005 | Marquette joins BIG EAST Conference | "We didn't know what to expect as we transitioned from Conference USA to the BIG EAST," Roeders said. "Our initial goal was to make the tournament semifinals since we had been selected to host the final two rounds. During the regular season, we had an unbelievable home match vs defending national champion Notre Dame and we won 4-1 on five shots. It was a Friday night and Valley Fields was packed, like overflowing. It was a magnificent setting and fans stormed the field after."
- Nov. 13, 2005 | MU's 1-0 defeat of UW-Milwaukee earns the program its first-ever trip to the third round of the NCAA tournament
- Aug. 31, 2008 | The Golden Eagles blank Samford 2-0 for 200th program win.
- Oct. 24, 2010 | MU defeats St. John's 2-0 at home to complete the BIG EAST regular season undefeated (11-0-0)
- Nov. 2, 2013 | 2-1 home win over Butler allows Marquette to finish 9-0-0 in BIG EAST (regular season and tourney champs), capping a four-year run that saw the Golden Eagles collect a 39-1-1 record in league play
- Oct. 5, 2014 | 300th program victory comes in 1-0 shutout of Xavier
- Nov. 11, 2016 | Marquette makes 13th NCAA tournament appearance after claiming the BIG EAST regular season title with a 7-2-0 record
- March 18, 2020 | Marquette downs Xavier 3-1 for 350th win by Marquette
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