Oct. 23, 2009

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -

Box Score (PDF)

Sophomore Rachael Sloan's golden goal in the 101st minute gave the No. 18 Marquette women's soccer team a 1-0 victory at Syracuse in double overtime Friday evening. With the win, the Golden Eagles own sole possession of first place in the BIG EAST American Division with a 6-2-2 BIG EAST record (12-4-2 overall). Marquette will play at St. John's for the division championship Sunday at 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT.

Sloan netted the game winner, her fourth of the season, at the 100:39 mark. Sophomore Kerry McBride fed the ball to Sloan who was positioned at top of the 18-yard box. Sloan took one touch and sent the ball past Syracuse goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan on her right side to give the win.

"Congrats to our team on a great effort and the win tonight," said head coach Markus Roeders. "Syracuse was a tough opponent, as expected, and we knew it wouldn't be easy to break them down. As much as we wanted to finish and win the game in 90 minutes, we always prepare ourselves for 110 minutes. It wasn't our most fluid and effective game, Syracuse and the wet conditions made it tough, but we created the chance to score earlier and often. Becky had a golden chance that could've sealed the match earlier, but the awareness and finish on the goal was brilliant. Lauren and Kerry drew the defense out and Kerry's pass found Sloan, who as a goal scorer wants to be in that spot. It was a beautiful finish. Give our team credit, defensively they were outstanding again and we kept elevating our play throughout the match. All of us will look forward to Sunday and an opportunity to win a championship. St. John's will be fired up and we know they are very good. We have to step up one more time as we have done many times this year. It should be a great game."

The win also helped Marquette secure a first-round by in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament which begins Thursday, Oct. 29, and will host a quarterfinal match at Valley Fields on Sunday, Nov. 1.

"Being guaranteed a BIG EAST Conference Tournament quarterfinal spot at home is something we have played for since day one. Congrats to the ladies, they earned it with their play and results throughout the year. We are very proud of them," said Roeders.

The Golden Eagles controlled play throughout the game despite the slick conditions due to constant rain. Overall, Marquette created many opportunities to win the game in regulation and in the first overtime. The Golden Eagles out shot the Orange, 15-3, putting eight of those attempts on goal. Bennett-Hattan came up big for Syracuse with seven saves. Sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Kulla earned her league-leading 12th shutout while having a relatively easy night in net only having to make one stop.

Marquette attacked from the opening whistle firing off seven shots, five which were on target, in the first half. McBride, Sloan, and senior Michelle Compty each had shots that were saved by Bennett-Hattan. Senior Becky Ryan had an opportunity to put Marquette on the board early in the 21st minute when she launched a shot that skimmed the crossbar of the goal.

It was much of the same in the second half as the Golden Eagles continued to create chances, but were unable to covert. Ryan, Sloan, and juniors Rosie Malone-Povolny and Kristi Laurenzi each registered shots in the second stanza.

Marquette had two quality opportunities in the first overtime period when junior Ashley Bares served in the ball to Michelle Compty, but her header sailed just inches wide of the far post at the 92:06 mark, and Ryan's shot was saved by Bennett-Hattan in the 97th minute.