Sept. 25, 2007

MILWAUKEE - Following back-to-back shutouts, the Marquette women's soccer team improved to No. 19 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll announced today.

The Golden Eagles also jumped to No. 21 in the Soccer Times poll.

The Golden Eagles defeated USF, 1-0, and played to a double overtime scoreless draw at Wis.-Milwaukee last weekend. Freshman Ashley Bares scored the Golden Eagles' game winner against USF. She was rewarded for her play with her second BIG EAST Rookie of the Week honor.

In two other national polls released on Monday, Marquette came in at No. 25 in the Soccer America poll and held steady in the Soccer Buzz poll at No. 12. Marquette is the No. 1 team in the Great Lakes Region according to Soccer Buzz and No. 2 in the region by the NSCAA.

Marquette (8-0-1) is one of nine teams that are unbeaten still this season. Three of those nine are BIG EAST teams. Along with MU, Villanova (7-0-2) and St. John's (6-0-2) are BIG EAST teams that are undefeated, while Boston College (7-0-1), Santa Clara (6-0-1), Massachusetts (5-0-1), BYU (6-0-2), Kentucky (6-0-2) and Appalachian State (5-0-2) are the others.

The Golden Eagles return to Valley Fields and resume BIG EAST play on Friday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m., against Providence. The game is the first of a doubleheader with the MU men. The men's soccer team will play Louisville at 8 p.m.

Friday evening is Breast Cancer Awareness Night and Soccer Mom Camp reunion. The MU women will be wearing pink jerseys while the men will be warming up in pink shirts in support of breast cancer awareness. The women's game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off following the game.