Sept. 18, 2008
Game Day Links:
Game Notes vs. Syracuse (PDF)
Gametracker/Live Stats
Live Streaming Audio - WMUR
MILWAUKEE -- The Marquette men's soccer team will be looking to rebound off last week's loss to fifth-ranked Notre Dame when the Golden Eagles make their return to Valley Fields to take on Syracuse this Friday night. Kick off against the Orange is slated for 7:05 p.m. Join the Marquette faithful for "Soccer Around the World," celebrating the game of soccer and its international appeal. Tickets are available at the gate or call (414) 288-GOMU.
Series History
Marquette's first conference game as a member of the BIG EAST was at Syracuse on Sept. 16, 2005 and ended in a 1-1 draw. The teams' only other meeting was back in 1989 when Syracuse defeated Marquette 3-0 at a tournament hosted by Wisconsin. The Orange will visit Valley Fields for the first time Friday night. Friday's match will also mark the first time Marquette's Louis Bennett will face Syracuse in his 13 seasons as a head coach.
Looking Ahead
Marquette will host fifth-ranked St.John’s this Sunday at 12:05 p.m. CT. With a record of 5-0-1 coming into the weekend, the Red Storm will go head-to-head Friday with third-ranked Notre Dame. St. John’s is off to its longest unbeaten streak to start a season since the 2001 campaign. Goalkeeper Neal Kitson has gone nearly 510 straight minutes without allowing a goal. Collectively, St. John’s only allowed a combined five shots on goal in its victories over Boston University (W, 1-0) and No. 22 Virginia Tech (W, 3-0) last week.
Golden Eagles Unbeaten At Home
Marquette remains unbeaten on its home pitch to begin the season at 1-0-2. Notre Dame, then ranked No. 5 in the nation according to the NSCAA/adidas poll, handed the Golden Eagles their first loss of 2008, a 4-1 blemish, in the BIG EAST opener on Sept. 11. The last time a Marquette team was unbeaten after the first three games was back in 2000. MU’s loss to Notre Dame also marked the program’s first loss in regulation in their last seven regular season matches.
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Scouting The Orange
Syracuse tied Monmouth 0-0 in the team’s only match last week, extending the Orange’s non-conference unbeaten streak to a school-record 19 matches. Friday’s match will be the league opener for Syracuse, which finished the 2007 campaign with an overall mark of 6-8-3 (3-8-0 BIG EAST). Syracuse has not won on the road since defeating Villanova 1-0 back on Oct. 6, 2006. Syracuse returns seven starters and 12 letterwinners from last season, including Second Team All-BIG EAST forward Hansen Woodruff. Woodruff ranked fourth all-time at the school in points per game (1.18) heading into 2008.
