The Marquette men’s soccer team defeated Pittsburgh Saturday at Valley Fields with a score of 5-0. The victory sends the Golden Eagles to their first ever Big East Tournament in the program’s history.

The goals came from forward Chris Madsen, who scored Marquette’s first hat trick of the season and one from forward Amilcar Herrera and Ryan Robb respectively.

“This is a huge stepping stone in our program,” coach Louis Bennett said. “We did our homework. I’m proud of the guys certainly and I’m proud of the seniors.”

Marquette took the lead early in the third minute. Robb crossed the ball to Madsen who rested the ball off his chest. He settled the ball, turned and shot the ball into the left corner of the net under the diving goalkeeper. The goal is the earliest this season for the Golden Eagles.

Madsen doubled Marquette’s tally 15 minutes later, heading the ball into the back of the net from eight yards out after an assist by junior Anthony Colaizzi.

“It’s really exhilarating,” Madsen said. “I was kind of humbled by coach a little bit who said it wasn’t good enough. And I talked to my dad and he told me to just put my heart into it and I just had to do it tonight.”

In the 31st minute, Herrera added Marquette’s third goal after the Panthers failed to clear the ball from their own box. The ball landed in front of Herrera who managed to shuttle the ball into far post.

In the 56th minute, Robb had a crack at goal from about 25 yards out but just managed to sail the ball over the crossbar. However, in the 66th Madsen completed his hat-trick when he beat the goalkeeper to the ball and slid it past the defenders and into the net.

Marquette’s fifth goal came in the 83rd minute after a cross into the box missed a Marquette player but was picked up by Robb who fired the ball into the upper right corner.

“Words can’t describe how good it feels to end this way at home,” Billy Von Rueden said. “Being a team more than we have. We have great guys. A hat trick is unbelievable. All the hard work paid off tonight.”