After a 0-1-1 weekend that left the women's soccer team looking up at West Virginia in the Big East American Division standings, the Golden Eagles had every right to feel disappointed.

The showing drove Marquette from the driver's seat in the division and turned what had been a four-point lead over the No. 15-ranked Mountaineers into a one-point deficit.

"When we were in the driver's seat we didn't have the results we needed," sophomore forward Ashley Bares said. "It was disappointing, especially knowing what we had on the line and what position we could be in."

But Bares and the rest of the Marquette squad will have a chance to get rid of that feeling on Friday night, when West Virginia comes to Valley Fields for Senior Night. Having clinched a first-round bye in the Big East Tournament, the Golden Eagles are now playing to bolster their postseason resume one year after being left out of the NCAA Tournament.

"We have been talking about it for a little over a week or so," senior defender Katie Kelly said. "Knowing what's at stake I think really gets people going, and makes sure they're aware of how much we have to play for.

"Especially after last year's jaw dropper not getting in (the tournament). It's definitely something that everyone is on the same page about."

The Golden Eagles will likely need a few more wins to draw the attention of the NCAA Tournament selection committee this season, and they'll have a tough start with West Virginia.

"We know where we are. I think we put ourselves a little behind the eight ball since last weekend," coach Markus Roeders said. "We had a great opportunity to take a step forward.(now) to have a chance to play for the divisional championship we have to win both games" this weekend.

The Mountaineers have beaten Marquette in each of the past three seasons, outscoring the Golden Eagles 7-1 during that stretch. West Virginia has scored 32 goals while limiting opponents to eight goals on 97 shots.

"I've heard that they're a very different team than they were the last couple of years," Kelly said. "I'm not going to lie, they kind of kicked our butts the last couple of years.

"They're traditionally very good, they like to pass the ball around, and they like to score goals. They take a lot of pride on defense, similar to us. That's what we try to do, but they've had a little more success than we have."

Most of Marquette's failures this season have stemmed from an inability to finish off scoring chances. The Golden Eagles have outshot opponents 286-155 on the year but have just 18 goals to show for it.

The Golden Eagles outshot Cincinnati 22-3 in their last contest and allowed just one shot on goal. Unfortunately for Marquette, that shot on goal hit the back of the net, and all the Golden Eagles could muster was a 1-1 draw.

"We had the chances, the opportunities were there," Bares said. "At the same time it's a nice thing knowing we created those chances. Hopefully people will just get hungry for a goal and find the back of the net."

And Roeders said the Golden Eagles are well aware of the weight held by its last two regular season games this weekend.

"We have a lot to play for. This is not just about winning the championship, this is about seeding for postseason, gaining home field advantage for postseason and all the repercussions you can have," Roeders said. "The focus just has to be on the next match, and West Virginia just happens to be one of the best teams we'll face all year."