Season Closes With 1-0 Defeat to Villanova

MILWAUKEE - Despite holding much of the possession, and a decided shot advantage, the Marquette men's soccer team (7-7-2, 1-7-0 BIG EAST) concluded its season with a season with a 1-0 defeat on Friday night at Valley Fields to Villanova. The Wildcats scored early and held on to that lead for more than 80 minutes to earn their 13th win of the season.

Before 10 minutes had passed, the Golden Eagles found themselves behind. In the eighth minute, Joseph Margita struck a centering ball to Matthew Klann who one-timed Villanova's first shot of the night past Cameron Simpson.

Despite falling behind quickly, Marquette settled into the match and had the Wildcats under pressure. During the ensuing 22 minutes, MU piled up nine shots, but just two of those forced Villanova's keeper into action.

Marquette totaled 11 shots in the opening half, and replicated the same total in the second 45 minutes. Four of those second-half shots forced saves from Sebastian Cutler-DeJesus as she the Wildcat keeper kept MU off the board.

With both teams looking to close out their season with a win, physical play was a staple throughout with 23 fouls called and six yellow cards handed out.

NOTABLES

Marquette totaled more than 20 shots in a match for the sixth time this season (4-2-0).
MU's 18-shot advantage on Friday night was the Golden Eagles' second-highest disparity of the season.
MU was shutout in six of its eight BIG EAST games. Four of those were 1-0 defeats.
The Golden Eagles finished the year 6-3-2 at Valley Fields.