The majority of the Marquette women's soccer team's losses this season can be attributed to one major shortcoming — a failure to finish scoring chances.

But in a 2-0 loss to West Virginia on Senior Night at Valley Fields Friday, the Golden Eagles weren't even able to create those opportunities consistently.

Marquette struggled to create legitimate chances all night as West Virginia (11-2-5, 6-1-3) dominated the play from the onset. The Mountaineers struck the eventual game-winning blow at the 11:18 mark on a goal from forward Blake Miller.

Miller received a pass from teammate Deana Everrett, who had drawn goalkeeper Natalie Kulla out of the goal box, at the start of the 18-yard box. Miller then just had to control the ball before firing it into the wide-open Marquette net for her eighth goal of the season.

Everrett "beat out wide players and played a perfect ball to a wide-open player," Kulla said. "Right now everyone is upset."

Marquette took just three shots in the first half, and only one of those was on goal. They tested West Virginia goalkeeper Kerri Butler a little more in the second half, but the struggling Marquette offense still managed just eight shots.

"I think we adjusted (after the first 15 minutes) so we could get more opportunities," defender Shannon Cusick said. "They're just a very aggressive team."

The Mountaineers, as they have most of the season, outshot Marquette 13-8. West Virginia had outscored its opponents 32-8 coming into Friday's game, and had outshot teams 322-97.

"These types of teams you don't generate many scoring chances," coach Markus Roeders said. "You need to capitalize on the ones you do create."

Kulla returned to goal for Marquette after junior Chelsey Turner was given a start against Cincinnati last weekend, and kept the Golden Eagles close by making X saves. West Virginia nearly added a second goal about 15 minutes after its first score, but a diving save by Kulla (and a clear by midfielder Kelly Wepking) kept Marquette within one for the time being.

West Virginia added its second goal with just 1:19 left in the second half on a breakaway by defender Erica Henderson. Henderson was able to squeak a ball on the ground past Kulla, who was extended far beyond the goal.

"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you lose 2-0.you have to take some risks," Roeders said. "I don't look at the score line except for wins and losses."

The loss ended Marquette's chances of winning the Big East's American Division, and dropped the Golden Eagles to 9-6-3 (5-3-2 Big East) on the season. Marquette has locked up a first-round bye in the Big East Tournament, but are still trying to secure a No. 2 seed. That would give the Golden Eagles a home game in the second round.

But, since it opened up a four-point lead over West Virginia a little over a week ago, Marquette is 0-2-1.

"This is not the game that put us in this situation," Roeders said. "I wouldn't necessarily say we struggled tonight, the struggle we had was last weekend."