Traditionally, he views the games as learning experiences to help build a foundation for his program or develop progress within the squad.,”Marquette men's soccer coach Louis Bennett always seems to find a silver lining in every single one of his team's performances be it a win, loss or draw.

Traditionally, he views the games as learning experiences to help build a foundation for his program or develop progress within the squad.

But such was not the case in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Providence in Marquette's final home game of the season.

"Anyone that was here had every right to be disappointed in the way we played," Bennett said. "I thought Providence rolled over us. I didn't think we were ever really engaged in the game. I don't think we had one guy play anywhere near his potential."

The Golden Eagles' poor performance was especially disappointing after a hard-fought victory over Wisconsin-Milwaukee just three days prior. The squad seemed to lack consistency, giving up possession too easily and failing to find opportunities after set pieces.

After the final whistle, Marquette had nine shots but only one was on goal.

"I think we just came out really flat," sophomore forward Matt Stummer said. "I'm pretty disappointed in the way I played and I know a lot of the guys feel the same way because it's the last home game, and you want to give the crowd something to be happy about."

Providence's first goal came in the 20th minute after senior captain Ryan Maduro crossed the ball into the box finding the sliding feet of Marquette player Tom Lynn who unintentionally put the ball into the back of his own net.

The Friars' second goal came four minutes later after another Maduro cross, this time finding teammate Matt Marcin who impressively flicked the ball off his back heel and into the goal.

"This is probably the worst performance of the year as a whole as a team," junior goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski said.

Pyzdrowski said the first goal was simply an accident but confessed the second goal should not have happened.

Lynn "came sliding in with another guy and it unfortunately hit off Tom and went in" he said. "But the second ball I definitely feel should have been cleared but it wasn't."

The Friars continued their offensive onslaught into the second half with two instances of Providence forwards beating the Golden Eagles' defense but shooting just wide of the goal. In almost every acquired possession Marquette fired the ball far down field without anyone on the receiving end of the pass.

After the final whistle blew, Providence had picked up its first road win of the season.

"That's probably the worst we've played…the least inspired and the least attention to the game-plan," Bennett said. "I don't know if we played with any real meaning. We have to take our hats off" to Providence.

Even with the loss, Marquette is not out of contention for the Big East Tournament. If Marquette were to win its next two away matches the Golden Eagles would mathematically have a chance. Their last two matches, however, are against division rivals West Virginia and Georgetown who sit fifth and third, respectively.

But Stummer believes that there is still hope in the Marquette camp to reach the tournament.

"I definitely think" it's a possibility, Stummer said. "We're better on the road so far this season and if we come out hard and we come out the way we've played prior to this I definitely think six points is within our reach."

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