#BIGEASTwsoc Minute: Notable Matchups Highlight This Week’s BEDN Schedule
Creighton-DePaul, Providence-Butler, St. John’s-Marquette among the four-game women’s soccer BIG EAST Digital Network schedule.
BIG EAST Notes - 9.28
On The National Scene
For the second straight week, Georgetown came in at No. 6 in the NSCAA Top 25 and No. 3 in the
Soccer America Poll. The Hoyas earned a one-spot jump in the RPI, up to No. 2, headlining a number of positive moves up the NCAA RPI for BIG EAST teams. Providence, which earned a scoreless draw with Georgetown on Sunday, jumped 24 spots to No. 49, Marquette improved five places to No. 39, and St. John’s bolted 26 slots up to No. 97 following its win at Seton Hall on Saturday. Creighton (No. 80) rounded out the league teams in the top 100.
Notable Streaks
No. 6/3 Georgetown leads the way with an eight-game unbeaten streak heading into Thursday’s match with Villanova, while reigning BIG EAST Champion Butler boasts the top winning streak at five matches following Saturday’s victory over the Wildcats. Even more impressive than the Bulldogs’ five-game win streak is that they have done so in shutout fashion, outscoring their opponents 16-0 over the last five tilts. Butler went 7-2-1 in non-conference action with both losses being by a single goal to schools from “Power Five” conferences. Creighton won its BIG EAST opener for the first time as a member of the conference, halting a three-game season-opening losing streak to Marquette with Sunday’s 3-2 double-overtime victory. The Bluejays have won four straight and are unbeaten over their last five, heading into Thursday’s tilt at DePaul. Providence (three-game unbeaten), St. John’s (two-game winning) and DePaul (three-game winning) also enter this week’s matches with positive streaks.
This Week On BEDN
Four women’s soccer matches highlight this week’s BIG EAST Digital Network schedule beginning with a double dip on Thursday. Creighton carries its five-game unbeaten streak to Chicago to face a DePaul squad which has won three straight by a combined 12-2 margin. The Blue Demons lead the BIG EAST in points per game at 6.5, while Creighton’s 2.44 goals per game lists second to only Georgetown (2.5). DePaul took last year’s meeting in Omaha, 4-0. Kick off a Wish Field is set for 4 p.m. (ET). A rematch of last year’s BIG EAST Semifinal, Butler travels to RV/-St. John’s for the nightcap at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs upset the top-seeded Red Storm last season, 2-1, after St. John’s edged Butler on its home turf during the regular season, 1-0. BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Diana Poulin is sure to be tested against Butler as the Bulldogs average over 14 shots per game, with Serina Kashimoto and Paige Monaghan individually leading the BIG EAST in that category. Butler’s home match against Providence on Sunday (1 p.m.) will also be on BEDN as fans will be treated to a 2015 BIG EAST title game rematch. The Bulldogs won their first BIG EAST team crown in any sport last fall as Butler edged PC 1-0 to claim the NCAA Tournament automatic berth. Kristyn Shea has been steady for the Friars in net, posting an .831 save percentage and 0.94 goals against average to go along with six clean sheets. Coverage concludes on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Milwaukee when Marquette hosts RV/- St. John’s. The Red Storm ended an 11-game winless streak against the Golden Eagles last year, scoring a 3-0 win in Queens. MU is led by Molly Pfeiffer this year who boasts team highs in goals (4), assists (3) and points (11).
Weekly Schedule/Results
Thursday
Villanova at #6/3 Georgetown, 4 p.m.*
Creighton at DePaul, 4 p.m.*^
Xavier at Providence, 7 p.m.
Butler at RV/-St. John’s, 7 p.m.*^
Seton Hall at Marquette, 8 p.m.
Sunday
Providence at Butler, 1 p.m.*^
Creighton at Villanova, 1 p.m.*
#6/3 Georgetown at Xavier, 1 p.m.*
DePaul at Seton Hall, 1 p.m.*
RV/- St. John’s at Marquette, 2 p.m.*^
*BIG EAST Contest
^BEDN