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On Saturday, Marquette lost to Seton Hall. The Pirates had lost 11 straight Big East matches coming into the encounter. Last year, when Marquette was suffering through their worst season in a long time, Seton Hall was the only team that they managed to beat in league play.
So, yeah. I’m kind of excited to see a break in Big East action turn up in the form of a mid-week home game against MU’s western in-state rival. I don’t know if it’ll mean a win for the Golden Eagles, but at least I won’t be dreading the possibility of not getting a win against a conference foe this season.
Marquette needs to get some things figured out, though. Since scoring four goals in three consecutive matches, Marquette has managed just five goals in the five ensuing matches. That includes getting shutout twice in Big East play and going to a 3-3 draw with UW-Milwaukee after taking a 3-0 lead. Marquette is actually outshooting their opponents in those five games, although it’s only by seven total shots. Then again, they outshot Villanova 20-7 but still lost 2-1, so it’s not like that 77-70 margin in five matches is all good news.
At some point, the question has to be asked as to when we’re going to see Mac Wheeler in net for the Golden Eagles this season. In over 270 minutes played this season, Wheeler’s allowing just short of a goal per 90 minutes, while Luis Barraza, who has played the last three matches, is letting in 1.66 per 90. Neither man has an outstanding save percentage as they’re both below 70%, but if Barraza can’t get it done against Seton Hall, maybe it’s time to look at Wheeler again.
Match #10: vs Wisconsin (5-2-1)
When: Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at 7pm Central
Where: Valley Fields
Audio/Visual: GoMarquette.com has the free video stream & there’s live stats.
Special Promotions: The res hall with the most students in attendance wins a prize. All students in attendance will be entered to win a MU Madness VIP package. Free admission for MU employees & family. FINALLY, Shirt Swap! Bring your non-MU college shirt to donate, get a new MU shirt!
Twitter Updates: @marquettesoccer & @BadgerMSoccer
Wisconsin leads the all time series, 28-16-11. However, Marquette is 4-1-1 in the last six contests, including wins in the last three matches, and the Golden Eagles are currently riding a nearly 200 minute shutout streak against the Badgers.
Speaking of 4-1-1 records, that’s also Wisconsin’s mark in their last six matches this season. The lone loss was on the road against Penn State, while the draw also came on the road against Florida Atlantic. They haven’t allowed a goal since giving up the double overtime game winner to the Nittany Lions, shutting out both Saint Louis (Marquette drew 1-1 with them) and Rutgers.
The Badgers are outshooting their opponents on average, but it’s by less than two shots per game. A heavy majority of the shots for UW this season have come from junior midfielder/forward Christopher Mueller. He’s let fly 32 times this year, which is almost twice as many than any of his teammates. Those 32 shots have “only” resulted in three goals for the Schaumburg, IL, native, but that’s still good enough to lead UW in that category as well as in points.
Redshirt junior Philipp Schilling hails from Schwegenheim, Germany, and he’s minding the net for the Badgers. He’s just 5’8” and 155 pounds, but he has a very nice goals-against average at 0.69, and he’s stopping 77% of the shots on frame. The Badgers are only allowing 3.5 shots on goal per game, so they’re doing a good job of protecting Schilling in his first season of NCAA soccer.