#BEfútbol Minute – The Halfway Mark
BIG EAST Notes (PDF)
NEW YORK – The 2016 season is in its fifth week of BIG EAST men’s soccer action, the halfway point of league play. Week five of BIG EAST men’s soccer has two games on the BIG EAST Digital Network, a 1 p.m. game in Washington, D.C. between DePaul and Georgetown and an 8 p.m. nightcap in Omaha with Marquette visiting No. 6 Creighton.
Not on BEDN this Saturday, Seton Hall hosts Providence, Xavier hosts Villanova and St. John’s hosts No. 11 Butler.
Quick Notes
Creighton surpassed Butler for top team in the league at the halfway point with a head-to-head one-goal victory over the Bulldogs last week -- a top 10 battle. The Bluejays jumped up to No. 6 in the NSCAA rankings, but Butler held strong at No. 11.
The BIG EAST remains ranked third in the league RPI rankings behind the ACC and Pac-12 and has three teams in the top 17. Xavier jumped from 42 last week to 17th on Monday.
Butler’s David Goldsmith and DePaul’s Simon Megally were named to the Senior CLASS Award Top 30 finalist list this week – which illustrates their dedication to excellence off the pitch.
The BIG EAST went 1-2-1 against non-league opponents this past week.
Saturday Matchup Notes – This Week on BEDN
DePaul at Georgetown (Shaw Field - 1 p.m.)
- One point separates Georgetown from DePaul. The Hoyas have four points and are just ahead of the Blue Demons with three points. The Hoyas are still looking for a league win at home. Players to watch in this contest are Georgetown’s Arun Basuljevic vs. DePaul’s Simon Megally. Both offensive powers, Basuljevic leads Georgetown in points (5) and is second on the team in goals (2). Megally leads the Blue Demons in points (16) and tied for first in goals (6). DePaul marked their first BIG EAST win last weekend, 2-1 over Seton Hall.
Marquette at Creighton (Morrison Stadium -- 8 p.m.)
- Creighton, ranked sixth in the country is the only team left unbeaten in the league standings at 3-0-1. Marquette is currently in the 10th spot in the standings with just two points. Creighton is 2-0-0 at home in BIG EAST action this season. Marquette is looking for league win No. 1. Players to watch in this match are Marquette freshman Luka Prpa and Creighton senior keeper Alex Kapp. Prpa netted his first league goal last Saturday, but he leads the Golden Eagles in points (17). Kapp has been BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week twice and has allowed just seven goals in his net this season. Kapp has a total of six shutouts.
Other Match Notes:
Providence at Seton Hall
- Providence jumped up to fourth in the standings last Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Villanova. Seton Hall fell to an eighth place tie with DePaul after the Blue Demons defeated the Pirates 2-1 last week.
Villanova at Xavier
- Xavier tied Butler for second in the league standings with a 2-0 win over St. John’s last week, while Villanova will look to rebound from a 3-1 loss to Providence.
No. 11 Butler at St. John’s
- Butler suffered two losses in the last week, both to top 10 opponents. The Bulldogs will look to see how they rebound on the road at St. John’s, who played Creighton to a draw earlier this season. The Red Storm is just on the edge of the league play off picture four games into the season.
This Weekend’s #BEfutbol Schedule:
Saturday, Oct. 15
Providence at Seton Hall at 1 p.m.
DePaul at Georgetown at 1 p.m. (Watch on BEDN)
Villanova at Xavier at 3:30 p.m.
No. 11 Butler at St. John’s at 7 p.m.
Marquette at No. 6 Creighton at 8 p.m. (Watch on BEDN)