Printer-Friendly Format

  E-mail this article

Sept. 10, 2008

Game Day Links:
Game Notes vs. Notre Dame (PDF)
Gametracker (Live Stats)
Live Audio (WMUR)

MILWAUKEE -- The Marquette men's soccer team will embark on its first road trip of the 2008 season Thursday when the Golden Eagles (1-0-2) open the BIG EAST portion of their schedule at Notre Dame (3-1-0), which enters the contest ranked as high as fifth in the national polls. Kick off at Alumni Field is set for 7 p.m. CT.

"I think it's a huge task for us," head coach Louis Bennett said during his weekly coach's show. "[Marquette], I said at the beginning of the year, is going to surprise some people, and is going to surprise some teams. Just because they have a [high ranking] and we don't, doesn't mean to say that we can't win the game. We're going to go in there with a strong game plan. If we can stay healthy and we have our full lineup, I think we can get some kind of a result there."

The game is being broadcast live by Marquette Radio. A link to the online audio stream is available on GoMarquette.com by visiting the men's soccer 2008 schedule page.

Series History
Marquette opens BIG EAST Conference play this Thursday at Notre Dame, the Golden Eagles’ first road match of the season. The Golden Eagles are 6-9-3 all-time against the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame has won the last three contests, including a 1-0 victory at Valley Fields a season ago when Jack Traynor scored the game-winner, unassisted, in the ninth minute. Marquette has dropped its last three decisions in Notre Dame, Ind. The last time the Golden Eagles defeated the Fighting Irish away from Valley Fields was a 5-3 decision back in 1985.

Golden Eagles Stay Unbeaten
Marquette remains unbeaten to begin the 2008 season at 1-0-2. The last time a Marquette team was unbeaten after the first three games was in 2000. That squad won its first four contests and started out 7-0-1.

Scouting Notre Dame
Notre Dame was picked to finish second in the Blue Division behind Connecticut, according to the BIG EAST 2008 Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Preseason All-American defender Matt Besler helped lead the Fighting Irish to a 14-5-5 overall record in 2007 and a 3-1-0 start this season. It’s been over two years since Notre Dame last dropped a conference match at home and the Irish finishing 7-0-4 in league play in 2007. The Fighting Irish are ranked as high as fifth nationally (NSCAA/adidas).

Historic Offensive Outburst Against Bryant
Marquette’s four goals in its 4-1 season-opening win over Bryant was the most goals scored in a single match by a Golden Eagles team since they defeated UW-Green Bay 4-1 back on Oct. 25, 2003. It was also the most goals netted by MU in a season-opener since a 5-1 decision over UW-Milwaukee to kick off the 2000 campaign.

Freshmen Seeing Time
Marquette started four freshmen for the first time this season in the team’s match against Columbia on Sept. 7. Forward Amilcar Herrera, defenders Michael Alfano and Paul Monsen, and midfielder/defender Calum Mallace. Herrera, Alfano and Monsen have started every match so far this season, while Mallace has played in all of the team’s contests.