MILWAUKEE -- The Marquette men's soccer team secured a BIG EAST Tournament berth Saturday night, tallying a 5-0 win over Pittsburgh at Valley Fields. Led by sophomore Chris Madsen's three goals and one assist, head coach Louis Bennett's team celebrated "Senior Night" by earning it's first postseason nod since the 2002 season.
"Hats off to Chris Madsen for putting three balls into the back of the net, but also hats off to the players that managed to do that for the seniors," said Bennett. "That's a great, great gift they've given [the seniors] -- sticking five on a BIG EAST team and putting ourselves right smack back into postseason play."
With the win, the Golden Eagles (4-9-3, 3-4-3 BIG EAST) clinched the No. 6 spot in the Blue Division of the BIG EAST Tournament. The five-goal victory was the largest margin of victory and most goals scored by Marquette in a match since a 5-0 win against East Carolina in 2003.
After two scoreless games, Marquette came out on the attack against the Panthers, putting away three goals in the first half and cushioning their lead into the second.
MU got on the board at the 3:01 mark when Madsen received a serve from freshman Ryan Robb from 40 yards out, settled the pass and shot the ball from 15 yards out into the far side of the net. The goal was the earliest of the season for Marquette.
The Golden Eagles looked to Madsen early and often in the match, playing a number of loft serves from midfield Madsen up front.
Madsen added to his night in the 18th minute, when junior Anthony Colaizzi crossed the ball into the box and found the head of the sophomore. Madsen headed the ball in from eight yards.
Sophomore Amilcar Herrera tallied a goal of his own, his second of the season, when Madsen headed forward a loose ball in the box and Herrera finished to the far post from the corner of the six-yard box in the 31st minute.
Madsen's third goal of the night put Marquette ahead, 4-0, as he tied the Valley Fields record for most points in a match by a Marquette player and most goals in a game by the home team. At the 64:58 mark, Madsen collected a pass from Colaizzi, beat the keeper to the ball, and forced Pittsburgh freshman goalkeeper Keegan Gunderson to deflect the ball into the net. The assist was Colaizzi's second of the game.
"He was fantastic today." Bennett said of Madsen. "He didn't travel last week and he's had an up-and-down season. We had a little talk in my office, and he responded by having a great couple days of practice. What I'm happy for is that he helped see off the seniors, from their home field, in style. The story might be about Chris Madsen today, but for the seniors who played their last home game here, they deserve something like this."
With less than 10 minutes to play, Robb netted his first collegiate goal as he picked up a loose ball at the top of the box after activity in the goalmouth and drilled his shot into the back of the net from 18 yards.
Senior Matt Pyzdrowski recorded his fifth shutout of the season for Marquette in goal, setting a career single-season high for shutouts in a season. He tallied three saves in a complete-game effort.
Junior Zack Matthews and Gunderson split time in net for the Panthers, with Gunderson playing the second half. Matthews allowed three goals and tallied one save, while Gunderson saved three MU shots and allowed two goals.
Marquette outshot Pittsburgh, boasting a 12-5 advantage and a 9-3 advantage with shots on frame. Senior midfielder Matt Baker led the Panthers with two shots on the night.
With the loss, Pittsburgh ends its season at 2-13-2 overall and 1-9-1 in BIG EAST play. The win was the first-ever for the Golden Eagles over Pittsburgh, and now trail the all-time series history 1-4.
Of the 14 points recorded by the Golden Eagles against Pittsburgh, all but two came from underclassmen. On the season, all but five of Marquette's 35 points on offense have come from underclassmen, led by sophomores Madsen (9), Calum Mallace (6) and Herrera (6).
"They are just dilligent, determined, loyal," Bennett said of the senior class. "They've had to suffer some pretty tought times in terms of wins and losses. They've had to make soem sacrifices that a lot of other people weren't willing to make, and they've had to believe what other people weren't willing to believe. They've set a standard now certainly of dedication and determination. They've all done their bit and I really appreciate it and the team really appreciates it."
Marquette will play the No. 3 seed in the Red Division which will be determined following the St. John's match at Syracuse Sunday night. The Golden Eagles will face off against either St. John's or USF for first-round action.
