Women’s Soccer: Marquette vs. St. John’s, Thursday, 7 p.m., Valley Fields
Winners of their last four matches, including two Big East road victories, the Golden Eagles return home, where they have been tremendously at ease this season. Marquette sports a 4-0-0 record at Valley Fields this fall and has not lost on home turf in 15 straight matches, dating back to 2011. The Red Storm, however, may have the tools necessary to snap Marquette’s impressive streak. St. John’s is 7-1-2 overall, including a 3-0 road record. The Golden Eagles will need to closely watch sophomore forward Rachel Daly, who has scored an astounding 13 goals thus far, including five game-winning scores. Marquette’s offensive output has been more varied, with seven multi-goal scorers, but nonetheless, expect this match to be a challenge for both squads.
Prediction: Marquette, 3-2
Volleyball: Marquette vs. Georgetown, Friday Oct. 4, 7 p.m. CT, McDonough Arena
Marquette’s weekend starts with a match against the bottom-feeder of Big East volleyball, Georgetown. Picked by the coaches to finish dead last in the nine-team conference, the Hoyas went 6-7 in the pre-conference season before dropping their conference opener at Villanova 3-1 last weekend. Georgetown shares a mutual opponent with Marquette this season— Florida. The Gators swept the Hoyas, and Georgetown never scored more than 14 points in any set. Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Saar leads the Hoyas with 3.05 kills per set and junior middle blocker Dani White averages 2.82 kills and .98 blocks per frame.
Prediction: Marquette in 3
Men’s Soccer: Marquette vs. Villanova, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2:30 p.m. CT, Villanova Soccer Complex
Marquette finishes its three-game road trip against Villanova Saturday. The Wildcats, currently ninth in the Big East at 4-4-1, have not had much success this season. Since surrendering seven goals in the season opener to New Mexico, they have a 1.63, goals against average, despite recording two shutouts. Scoring is also a problem in that they create chances but fail to convert them. Marquette had a similar problem earlier this season but has since corrected it. Saturday’s match will come down to whoever puts away their chances and breaks down the defense.
Prediction: Marquette 3-1
Volleyball: Marquette vs. Villanova, Saturday Oct. 5, 6 p.m. CT, Jake Nevin Field House
Less than 24 hours after playing in Washington, Marquette embarks on its third of four consecutive Big East road matches against Villanova. The Wildcats finished the pre-conference season 8-5 and won their own tournament, the Villanova Classic, with an unbeaten 3-0 record. They are a perfect 5-0 at home this season, with their last win coming against Georgetown in four sets. Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Carpenter leads the team with a stellar 3.55 kills per set average and senior libero Mariah Henley captains the defense with 5.20 digs per set. The quick turnaround and a better overall roster should make ‘Nova a stiffer test for Marquette than Georgetown.
Prediction: Marquette in 4
Women’s Soccer: Marquette at Xavier, Sunday Oct. 6, 12 p.m. CT, Xavier Soccer Complex
A new member of the Big East, Xavier arrives from the Atlantic 10, where it spent the last 18 years. The Musketeers may not be prepared for the competitive nature of the Big East just yet. In its first two conference matches, Xavier has lost by a combined score of 9-1, including a 7-1 punishing defeat against nationally ranked Georgetown. Although both of those contests were away, the Musketeers could put up a fight against the Golden Eagles at home, where they stand 4-0. Marquette simply has too many weapons for Xavier to handle, and the Golden Eagles will strike early to put the match out of reach.
Prediction: Marquette, 3-1
