Darian Powell’s Golden Goal Pushes Marquette Women’s Soccer Past Xavier

No better way to cap off Marquette’s Senior Night than for 6th year senior Darian Powell to score the game-winning goal against Xavier in overtime.

As the rain was coming down heavily on Valley Fields, Powell got on the end of a long-ball played into the box by Ryley Bugay and flicked it over the head of Xavier goalkeeper Toni Bizzaro for the dramatic victory. After the goal, the MU bench rushed the field and celebrated with Powell in dog-pile fashion—love to see that.

This game played out just the way you would of expected: a lot of possession in the midfield for both teams as they tried to build up the attack. MU edged out Xavier in shots 11-10 but the difference in the game was the Golden Eagles’ late-game push to score the winner. Powell almost put MU in front in the 87th minute when a Carrie Madden shot was deflected and landed at Powell’s feet. Her left-footed shot from about 5 yards out was parried away by Bizzaro. Eli Beard had a chance to put MU ahead in the 37th minute but her long-range blast was tipped over the goal nicely by Bizzaro. Beard finished the game with two shots on target. Carrie Madden and Maddie Monticello also had good games with three and two shots respectively.

Here’s a look at that beautiful header by Darian Powell to get the much needed three points:

Powell’s adrenaline was still pumping after the match as she talked about the great win:

The Golden Eagles were very fortunate they didn’t concede a goal in the 53rd minute after redshirt senior Tori Doss missed the clearest chance of the game (and probably of her life). She had a wide open net after a shot hit of the post and came to her just inside the 5-yard box. With Henry out of the picture, Doss was unable to keep the ball under the crossbar somehow and her shot sailed way over the net. The soccer gods were definitely on Marquette’s side in this one. Doss had another chance early in the game to put the Musketeers up a goal but missed wide left as she was one-on-one with Maddy Henry. Aside from Doss, Sydney Schembri had solid opportunities with three shots and two on target.

Henry continues to play lights out with her six saves and yet another clean sheet to make that seven this season. She is 2nd in the Big East in clean sheets four behind Georgetown’s Arielle Schechtman. Henry also ranks 3rd in saves with 76 this year. Her amazing play in net has allowed the Golden Eagles to win a lot of close games this season.

Here’s a highlight package, courtesy of GoMarquette.com:

The Golden Eagles have now beaten Xavier all six times in the all-time series. It was a much needed victory as well as they stay in the thick of things momentarily tied for fourth with Providence at nine points. The Friars will be playing the conference leading Georgetown Hoyas on Sunday at 1 pm. Other Sunday games to keep an eye on is Butler taking on DePaul in Chicago while Villanova will travel to Omaha to take on Creighton.

As it stands before the Sunday slate of games, Georgetown is in first with 13 points followed by Butler and Xavier with 11. Then it’s Providence and Marquette at nine points. Villanova is close behind the Golden Eagles with six points and will play a last place Creighton team that has really struggled this year. Regardless of the results today, Marquette’s victory keeps then in the race for a Big East tournament bid and a potential home game in the first round. This year the women’s side has adopted the men’s playoff format and the top two team’s get first round byes with #3 and #4 getting to play at home in the first round.

Up Next: The Golden Eagles will hit the road to face #15 Georgetown in their biggest game of the season. That game comes up on Thursday afternoon and why afternoon, you ask? Because Georgetown built their soccer facility directly outside of a hospital and literally right next to the hospital’s helicopter pad. The Hoyas are undefeated in conference play (4-0-1) and have a 10-2-2 overall record.