Marquette women’s soccer’s path to the BIG EAST Tournament got significantly more challenging Sunday, losing 3-0 to Xavier for the first time in program history.
With only four points in the BIG EAST standings, the Golden Eagles will likely need to win all three remaining BIG EAST fixtures — at home against No. 4 Georgetown, on the road against Creighton and at home against Seton Hall — to earn a BIG EAST Tournament berth.
The deciding goal Sunday came in the 40th minute from Xavier sophomore Claire Fisher, who fired it past Marquette goalkeeper Maddy Henry and into the far corner of the net.
It was Fisher’s first collegiate goal and the second goal Xavier scored against Marquette in eight all-time matches.
The Musketeers struck again in the 60th minute with a strike from Molly McLaughlin on an assist from Samantha Dewey. Dewey scored in the 84th minute from the right side of the box to remove any doubt.
Henry had six saves Sunday, moving her season total up to 83 saves. Prior to Sunday’s match, the Golden Eagles allowed only one goal to the Musketeers in seven meetings.
Marquette lost despite a 16-13 shot advantage. Freshman midfielder Katrina Wetherell led the Golden Eagles with five shots, three of which were on target.
Marquette will have a tough task in its next match, hosting No. 4 Georgetown Thursday at Valley Fields. The Golden Eagles have not defeated the Hoyas since 2013.
