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April 13, 2008

Photo Gallery vs. UW-Parkside

MILWAUKEE - Marquette University faithful braved cool temperatures and brisk winds at Valley Fields on Sunday to watch the Golden Eagles men's soccer team battle UW-Parkside to a scoreless draw.

Marquette didn't find the back of the net despite numerous chances in the first half, including a number of shots on goal, while the final 45 minutes of regulation saw both teams miss several opportunities. The exhibition match against the NCAA Division II Rangers concluded following back-to-back five-minute overtime periods.

"I thought we had opportunities in the first half that we didn't capitalize on," said MU head coach Louis Bennett. "But overall, our back line looked pretty strong and mastering these difficult conditions. I think we did pretty well."

"They're a battled hardened team," added Bennett, referring to UW-Parkside, which was added to the schedule late last week after it was announced hat Saturday's match with Kentucky was canceled. "They've knocked off division I teams. They're a good program."

Still with a number of players on the injury list, Bennett opted to play only 11 players on the afternoon, a little endurance test in the midst of a rigorous conditioning and training program this off-season. Undoubtedly, the Golden Eagles looked well conditioned. Other aspects of the team's play are also steadily improving, so results are soon to follow.

"We definitely had the best flow of the game," said Bennett. "Some people didn't have necessarily their best games, but they still managed to contribute. In the big picture, I think we're moving along quite nicely. We're certainly not giving teams goals and we are, as a wing-play team, creating some opportunities."

Although Bennett was complimentary of his young squad's play Saturday, the match also showed areas that will be of constant focus of improvement going into the 2008 fall schedule.

"We definitely have to work on the chemistry in our interior midfield, and then finishing," Bennett said. "Now in the last third, we have the ability to create some pretty good changes, but it's finishing those chances and staying calm and having that impetus to put the ball in the back of the net. As hungry as we are in other parts of the field, or as a group, now we kind of need to promote that hungry attitude in front of the goal."

Marquette will have another opportunity to do just that next Saturday, April 19, when the Golden Eagles welcome Lincoln College (Ill.) and in-town opponent Cardinal Stritch to Valley Fields. Action is set to begin at 10 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public.