Women's Soccer: Where Are We Now?

With their 5-0 win over Cincinnati on Sunday, the Marquette women's soccer team reached the midway point of their 2012 Big East schedule with a conference record of 5-0-0. As the only remaining undefeated team in the American Division, we can start looking ahead on the schedule to see how close they are to clinching a fourth consecutive division title.

First off, Marquette only has matches against American Division opponents remaining, starting with road games against Providence (3-3-0 in Big East play) and Connecticut (3-3-0) this weekend. Based on the format laid out in the Women's Soccer Championship Central, Marquette will clinch a spot in the Big East tournament with wins over both squads, as they would no longer finish lower than fourth.

That would leave MU with their last three matches at home, against current sixth place team St. John's (2-4-0), second place Syracuse (4-1-1), and third place South Florida (2-1-2). As Marquette's travel partner, South Florida will play the exact same schedule, just with the order flipped each weekend. This means that South Florida will host Syracuse on the Friday night before Marquette plays the Orange on a Sunday afternoon. If I'm doing my math right (and please feel free to correct me), the Marquette/Syracuse match could decide the American Division title.

We'll keep an eye on this as it goes forward.