:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21923563/20130823_ws_066.0.jpg)
Things were looking pretty good for #9/#17 Marquette and their chances at locking up the 2013 Big East regular season title when Mady Vicker scored in the 13th minute. Things were pretty solid when Ashley Handwork made it 2-0 in the 41st minute. Things were all but locked up when Providence didn't get a shot off - not a shot on goal, a shot of any kind - until after Maegan Kelly pumped in a penalty kick in the 49th minute to put the Golden Eagles up 3-0.
Marquette would score three more times in the second half: another goal from Kelly in the 56th minute, Alex Heffron put a corner kick off the far post and into the net in the 77th minute, and Shalese Miller's second of the season with just two seconds left on the clock, proving that just because you're about to win your fifth straight title in relatively easy fashion, that's no reason to not keep pushing forward to make your keeper's life easier.
Marquette did a hell of a job making their keeper's life easy in this match. As I mentioned, the Friars didn't get a shot off in the first 45 minutes. By the time Amanda Engel gave way to Sofie Schunk in the 69th minute, Engel had only seen three of Providence's five shots in the match, but didn't have to make a save on any of them. Schunk's 21 minutes in net was more lively than Engel's time, but Schunk still didn't have to make a save to preserve MU's 5th straight shutout. Engel hasn't given up a goal in 442:50 minutes.
With the Big East regular season title, Marquette also clinches the #1 seed in the Big East tournament. They had already clinched one of the two quarterfinal byes with their win last Sunday against DePaul.
Recognition must be given to Emily Jacobson. Even as head coach Markus Roeders was finding playing time for 22 different players, only Jacobson stayed on the field, manning her center back position for the full 90 minutes. Her heads up defense was needed in the late going as Providence did mount some late challenges, but Jacobson was there to provide clearances for the now very young Marquette defense.
Up Next: Senior Night! Marquette will honor the careers of their eight seniors as part of the festivities as they host Butler (11-5-2, 4-4-0) on Saturday night. The match will start at 5:30 as part of a Senior Night doubleheader with the men's soccer team.