Marquette Gets Blanked By Notre Dame

Generally speaking, getting beat on shots 18-8 is going to create problems for you in soccer. That’s what happened to Frank Pelaez and Marquette women’s soccer on Sunday afternoon as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Notre Dame at Valley Fields. The Golden Eagles are now 1-1-0 on the year while the Irish remain undefeated at 3-0-1.

An outrageous downpour in Milwaukee caused a weather delay while things were still scoreless right before the 26 minute mark, but apparently the break did Notre Dame a world of good. Not long thereafter, the Irish took advantage of a beneficial bounce and Sophia Fisher beat Mikki Easter 1-on-1 for what would turn into the game’s only goal:

Shots were just 7-4 favoring the Irish with that 1-0 score holding at halftime, but the visitors really poured it on in the second half. ND outshot MU 11-4 after the break, tilting this thing firmly in their favor.

And yet...

Marquette very nearly had an equalizer very late. As it would turn out, MU’s last shot of the game wound up like MU’s first shot of the game: A team save for the Irish as a defender had to make the clearance off the line to stop the Golden Eagles from getting a goal. Who knows what would have transpired if Alex Campana’s sixth minute shot doesn’t get turned away, and same for Katrina Wetherell’s chance in the 84th minute. But Notre Dame made the plays and so they get the win.

A slight note on the shots thing before we wrap it up: Yes, the Golden Eagles got outshot pretty badly overall in the match.... but it’s almost more of a style choice by the two teams. 18-8 was the overall shot total, but Notre Dame only put seven shots on frame against six from the Golden Eagles. Yep, six of MU’s eight total shots in the game turned into saves by the visiting team. Marquette was taking quality shots in this one, which might just be a sign that Frank Pelaez is coaching them to be more particular than just launching from wherever and hoping and praying that something good happens.

Up Next: Road trip! Marquette is off until Thursday when they will start off a pair of road dates out in Utah. First up is BYU with an 8pm Central time start out in Provo, and then they’ll visit Utah State on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars are 2-1-0 on the year with home wins over Ohio State and USC, while the Aggies are a perfect 3-0-1 and on a nine match unbeaten streak dating back into the spring season.