The players on the men’s soccer team should consider an art minor after drawing for the third straight game. Just like last season, neither the Golden Eagles nor St. John’s were able to find the net. The two teams, tied for 7th in the BIG EAST preseason media poll, seem as close as two teams can get.
“We match up well against them, but they also matched up well against us,” Marquette head coach Louis Bennett said.
Earning the clean sheet for the Golden Eagles was Wicho Barraza, who was busy despite a lack of dangerous opportunities. He made seven saves.
“People think players on the field, they might be a little scared to not concede a goal,” Barraza said. “I think you have to be composed and think that things are going to go well and go your way.”
Barraza hasn’t necessarily won the starting job despite Bennett saying he hoped to have the rotation between Barraza and Mac Wheeler situated by BIG EAST play. Bennett said Barraza starting just meant the coaching staff felt he was the best fit to play St. John’s.
“We haven’t seen the last of Mac,” Bennett said.
The Golden Eagles’ most notable chance came in the second overtime. Luka Prpa took a shot in the box, one of his five of the night, but St. John’s keeper Andrew Withers was just able to get a hand on it and deflect the shot wide.
Marquette continues the BIG EAST campaign Saturday against Villanova (3-3-0). The Wildcats fell to Butler 3-2 in overtime earlier today and have one more game before seeing Marquette, a Thursday night game against cross-town rival St. Joseph’s.
“We’re going to do that with a point,” Bennett said. “At the end of the season those points are going to be really really important.”
