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MU Hosts No. 9/8 Notre Dame Saturday Night At 7 p.m.
Sept. 13, 2007
Alumni Weekend Schedule (PDF)
Milwaukee - The Marquette University men's soccer team is hoping for a record crowd at the team's BIG EAST Conference opener Saturday night as the Golden Eagles host nationally ranked Notre Dame. The Golden Eagles expect a capacity crowd for the league lidlifter at Valley Fields, including standing-room only space in the new student section, "The Birdcage." Located behind the net on the east endline, "The Birdcage" provides bleacher seating for 200 students. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. and features the No. 9/8 Fighting Irish on the opposing bench. The game will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis by Time Warner Cable. Marquette will be putting its two-game unbeaten streak (W, 2-1 vs. Xavier and T, 1-1 vs. Green Bay) on the line Saturday night. MU's lineup last weekend featured four freshman starters and first-year players have accounted for 75 percent of the team's goals early in 2007. "Opening the BIG EAST schedule at home against a quality team is huge for us," head coach Louis Bennett said. "The atmosphere has been great and we have been able to build up some momentum at home. I think it's going to be a great college soccer match and a real attraction for the fans to witness." Saturday's attendance will be boosted by the program's annual alumni weekend. Festivities begin Thursday night when the current roster matches up against the alumni squad. Following facility tours and the Blue & Gold Fund Auction on Friday, visiting alums will face each other on the pitch prior to a tailgate at 5:30 p.m., and the varsity matchup against ND at 7 p.m.
"Alumni weekend was a huge success last year and we look forward to another outstanding event this year as well," Bennett said. "The game Thursday night will give us an opportunity to rest guys and play others in different lineup combinations. It's a great way to connect with the former players." All alumni in attendance will be recognized at halftime. Those confirmed to take on the Golden Eagles on Thursday night are; Derek Gutierrez, Danny Mullin, Bryan Dahlquist, Nathan Sabich, Steve Lawrence (c), Steve Govin, Theran Motl, Jason Hood, Sean Reti (c), Rob Walton and Matt Blouin. Notre Dame's roster features the reigning M.A.C. Hermann Trophy (awarded to top collegiate player) recipient and BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, Joseph Lapira. The senior forward collected 50 points (22 goals) last season as the Fighting Irish advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals for the first time in school history. ND returns a total of six starters from 2006, including three more all-conference performers. "This will be a good measuring stick for us," Bennett said. "We are going to have to play our game very well and keep them from playing theirs if we want a result. They (Notre Dame) have a number of quality players and will give us a good proving ground." |
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