WSOC Hosts No. 18 Northwestern Thursday In 2023 Lidlifter

The Marquette University women's soccer team (0-0-0, 0-0-0 BIG EAST) begins its 31st season of competition this week when the squad faces No. 18/18 Northwestern and Colorado to start the 2023 campaign.

The Golden Eagles take on the Wildcats at Valley Fields on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. CT in the season lidlifter before traveling to Colorado for a 2 p.m. CT matchup on Sunday, Aug. 20.

MU's Roster Features Depth

Marquette's 2023 roster features a wealth of experience, while also mixing in a group of talented newcomers.

Of the 14 players who found the back of the net in 2022, 11 are back in the rotation for fourth-year head coach Frank Pelaez. Forward Elsi Twombly led the roster in points (11) and six of the top seven overall scorers are back in the Blue & Gold.

Netminders Chloe Olson and Mikki Easter combined to cover all of the team's minutes in net a season ago and the duo owns 42 career appearances.

MU, which features 22 total returning letterwinners, is also looking forward to receiving the services of both Josie Kelderman (knee) and Maggie Starker (knee) again this fall at some point. Both missed extended time last year due to injury.

Marquette's eight-member recruiting class features a talented group of freshmen, who are expected to compete across the lineup for minutes.

Marquette Picked Eighth In Poll

Marquette was picked to finish eighth in the 11-program BIG EAST Conference by the league's head coaches in the annual preseason poll.

The Golden Eagles are looking for their first league tournament appearance since the 2017 campaign. Defending champion Georgetown claimed 10 of the 11 first-place votes to earn the top spot and Xavier was selected second.

MU Renewing Pair Of Series

Marquette has faced both Northwestern and Colorado in previous action, but hasn't played either team since 2018.

MU's series with the Wildcats dates back to the 1994 campaign and the Blue & Gold hold a 6-3-2 advantage in the all-time series. Northwestern has claimed the last two regular season meetings and was also victorious in a matchup this past spring in Evanston.

The Golden Eagles will be making their first trip to Colorado, after falling to the Buffs 2-1 at Valley Fields on Sept. 6, 2018.