The Golden Eagles' losing season is the second in two years under Bennett's reign. Saturday's loss earned Marquette a 2-12-4 record, placing Marquette last in the Big East.,”Marquette head men's soccer coach Louis Bennett is already looking to next season after his team fell to Pittsburgh 2-1 in double overtime Saturday night.
The Golden Eagles' losing season is the second in two years under Bennett's reign. Saturday's loss earned Marquette a 2-12-4 record (1-9-1 Big East), placing Marquette last in the conference.
"The results were disappointing, but we did make forward progress," said Bennett. "We're a lot closer to our goal of being a competitive team in the Big East, but we still have work to do and that's blatantly obvious."
A throw-in from senior Mike Carlson connected with midfielder Scott Miller's head, directing the ball into the goal from five yards out in the 21st minute.
"Carlson threw the ball right where he was supposed to," said Miller. "I was able to flick it on and put enough on it to put it into the back of the net."
Marquette's lead lasted 16 minutes before a cross from Pittsburgh midfielder Matt Langton flicked off the hands of Marquette goalkeeper Steve Purdy. Pittsburgh's E.J. McCormick placed the loose ball into the net in the 37th minute, marking the first goal in four games for Pittsburgh.
Marquette took five shots in the first half, including a missed open goal opportunity from junior Dan Addis.
The Golden Eagles continued to put pressure on the Panthers but failed to advance their lead as both Miller and Michael Greene had shots ricochet off the goalkeeper. Marquette scored twice in only two of its games this season. As was the case all season, Marquette could not create chances on goal and squandered the few chances it was given.
"We need to create more familiar opportunities and we need to score more goals," Bennett said. "I think when we have the abilities to score more goals more things will fall into place."
The season ended in the 108th minute after Purdy attempted to
clear the ball but was intercepted and scored on from 45 yards out by Panther Justin Boehm.
"It was really hard to end that way with that kind of goal," junior Nick Kay said. "We didn't do what we wanted to and we didn't bring enough energy.
"We definitely need to work on our cohesiveness. We are a young team, but that's no excuse. We have to raise the level of play."
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