After splitting two matches last weekend to open the season, the Marquette women’s soccer team begins a five-match home stretch this weekend with games against Portland and Boston University.
Last Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Michigan was highlighted by the equalizer from freshman Ali Jacobson in the 78th minute. Jacobson, the younger sister of alumni Cara and Emily, was one of ten underclassmen to see time on the pitch on Sunday.
“Our team dynamic is just above and beyond… it’s fantastic,” coach Markus Roeders said. “We’re just trying to fine-tune and get a little bit better in all the areas and I think we’re on the right track.”
Roeders, now in his 20th season at the helm for the Golden Eagles, said the team’s depth will help them find an identity and play an important role in the early season slate. Starting Friday, the team will play three matches in seven days.
“These early games are really the most important,” said senior keeper Amanda Engel, who has started all but two games in her four year career. “We aren’t out there playing easier teams… they’re a good marker to tell us what else we need to work on and how to adjust things so that we can be the best team that we can be.”
The Golden Eagles face a somewhat familiar Portland team on Friday at 7:30 p.m. They traveled to the Rose City to take on the Pilots in 2013, where they fell 1-0. That match featured five current Marquette starters and six current Portland players. The Pilots are led by junior midfielder Allison Wetherington, who was voted to the All-West Coast Conference Preseason team.
Although the teams are just two years removed from their last meeting, Roeders said he won’t focus too much on film from that game.
A quick turnaround for a Sunday matinee bout at 1 p.m. against the Boston University Terriors will put Marquette’s depth to the test once again. The Terriors were picked to win the Patriot League this season after allowing a miniscule 0.70 goals per game last year.
Both games can be heard live on Marquette Radio through the Marquette Wire.
