April 29, 2006

The Golden Eagles finished their 2006 Spring Season today at Valley Fields with three wins at the Marquette University Games.

MU defeated Loyola (Ill.), 2-1, in the first game of the day. The Ramblers got on the scoreboard first, slipping a shot past goalkeeper Christy Smith in the 14th minute. Loyola led, 1-0, at the break.

Kaley Connelly tied the game with 11:00 to play, finding the back of the net in the box, after a nice entry pass from Christy Zwolski. With just under two minutes to go, Michelle Pitzl tallied the gamewinner off a cross from Heather Goranson.

In the afternoon, the Golden Eagles took on Northwestern and struck first, as Shaina Mango scored in the fifth minute, from Zwolski and Michelle Compty. Northwestern tied the match with just under 15 seconds to play in the first frame, as MU tallied an own-goal after a mix-up in the box. In the second half, Kaley Connelly took a Julia Egasti pass and put the Golden Eagles up for good in the 38th minute.

Marquette faced the Chicago Eclipse U-18 club in the finale, coming away with a 4-2 win. Zwolski tallied the first goal of the match in the ninth minute, converting a header from a Katie Kelly corner kick. Zwolski struck again in the second half, scoring on a penalty kick after a the Eclipse were whistled for a handball in the box in the 46th minute. Shortly after, Pitzl took a Katie Kelly pass and blasted it in for the third score of the match. Tori Moore recorded Marquette's fourth goal with 12:00 remaining before the Eclipse tacked on two late goals.

"It was a great way to finish up our Spring season." said head coach Markus Roeders. "Each game had a different feel to it and different scenarios. In the first game against Loyola, we had to come from behind late to win. Versus Northwestern, it was tied at the half and we did a good job of limiting their opportunities and gaining the victory. In the third game, we went up big early and cruised."

"In all, I think we can take a lot of good things from out play in the Spring." Roeders added. "We had our veterans continue their solid play while some of our newcomers had chances to develop into their new roles. Beginning with our game against the U.S. National team, as well as the tough collegiate competition we faced, it should as a good springboard into our Summer training and Fall regular season."