Sept. 2, 2008

Weekly Release in PDF Format

MILWAUKEE - The undefeated Marquette women's soccer team hosts city rival Wis.-Milwaukee and BYU this week at Valley Fields to close out its five-match homestand. The RV/25/- Golden Eagles collide with RV/24/25 Wis.-Milwaukee on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., and take on BYU at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The game against Wis.-Milwaukee will be broadcast on Time Warner Sports, Channel 32, on a tape delay basis.Fans can also listen live on the web via WMUR.

The first 500 fans in attendance Wednesday evening will receive a free schedule key chain.

Wednesday's match marks the 17th time the two teams will play dating back to 1993. The Panthers own the slight series edge, 6-5-5. In the two team's last time out, UWM and MU played to a scoreless tie through 110 minutes of action.

"It is an intriguing match! Over the years, we have had some memorable matches and this should be another classic game," said head coach Markus Roeders. "Both teams are undefeated and nationally ranked, which is a first in the history of Marquette vs UWM. They have done very well and are scoring goals. They are always well coached, organized and defensively strong. Our team has improved from game-to-game and we keep adding new elements to our play. The local community will be treated to a great match and we hope a large, pro-Marquette, crowd will be on hand Wednesday night. So many of the players know each other from youth and club soccer, so let's hope the energy level will lead to a spectacular match."

The Golden Eagles enter the contest with the Panthers 3-0-0 overall and nationally ranked at No. 25 according to Soccer America. Junior Kelly Wepking leads the team in points early on with four on two goals. Sophomore Lauren Acree follows with three points. Acree, who was named to the MIlwaukee Cup All-Tournament Team scored the Golden Eagles game-winning goal in overtime against Ohio State Friday. She also tallied the game-tying assist with six seconds left in regulation.

The Golden Eagles have been stingy with their defense giving up just one goal, but what may be even more impressive is that the team has allowed just five shots over its last two games. Overall, MU has out-shot its opponents, 67-13.

"We had many opportunities to score this past weekend and our efficiency in front of goal has to get better. We can't expect 25-30 shots a game, UWM won't allow that many. But, we are winning and scoring," said Roeders.

In net, junior Chelsey Turner and red-shirt freshman Natalie Kulla have shared goal-keeping duties with each seeing action in two matches, totaling 135 and 145 minutes, respectively.

The Panthers also jumped into the national polls this week at No. 24 according to Soccer America and No. 25 according to Soccer Buzz, marking the first time the two teams will tangle as ranked opponents. Like the Golden Eagles, UWM is 3-0 on the season claiming wins over Wisconsin (3-0), Ohio State (4-3) and Samford (4-2). Sarah Hagen has scored a team high five goals, and has 11 points for the season. Kate Megna, Nicole Sperl and Erin Kreuser follow with four points apiece. Erin Kane has seen all 270 minutes in net and has registered a 1.67 goals against average.

The Cougars (3-1-0), who will play at William & Mary before arriving in Milwaukee, have won their last two matches over Georgia (4-1) and Arizona (1-0). MAC Herman Award candidate Katie Larkin leads BYU with seven points on three goals and one assist, while Kassidy Christinsen has registered five points on two goals and one assist. In goal, Aleena Shelton has seen the majority of minutes and has recorded a goals against average of 0.80.

Marquette and BYU have met once before in 2000, with the Golden Eagles claiming the victory in Milwaukee, 2-1.