BIG EAST Notes - 10.20 Update
Championship Update
With wins on Thursday, No. 22 Butler, RV Georgetown and Xavier have all clinched spots in the BIG EAST Championship presented by Jeep. The Hoyas currently lead the pack at 5-1-1 and 16 points in the standings, followed by the Bulldogs at 4-0-3 and 15 points. The Musketeers earn their first postseason berth since joining the BIG EAST in 2013 by sitting at 4-1-2 and 14 points. GU can finish no lower than fourth place, BU no lower than a tie for fifth, while XU can drop no lower than sixth. The top six teams at season’s end qualify for the BIG EAST Championship, with the top two seeds earning byes into the semifinals.
#22 Butler 3, Creighton 0
The nationally ranked Bulldogs struck early as Caitlyn DiSarcina scored just 10:24 into the contest. The Bluejays pressed in the second half, outshooting Butler 12-6 over the final 45 minutes, but Paige Monaghan scored a pair of goals just over two minutes apart beginning in the 81
st minute to put the game away. The win stretched Butler’s unbeaten streak to 14 games and clinched the Bulldogs a spot in the BIG EAST Championship field.
Full Recap
Xavier 2, Seton Hall 1
Xavier clinched its first-ever BIG EAST Championship bid after picking up the 2-1 win over Seton Hall at the XU Soccer Complex. The win, Xavier's program-best fourth in BIG EAST play, sends the Musketeers to the conference tournament for the first time since playing in the Atlantic 10 Championships in 2003. Sydney Schembri struck first in the 28
th minute before Lauren Hall got SHU on the board in the 67
th minute. Tori Doss would provide the game-winning goal in the 77
th minute as Abby O’Keefe earned her second assist on the night. Toni Bizzarro made four saves in the win while the Pirates saw a pair of keepers combine for three saves.
Full Recap
St. John’s 2, Villanova 1
Christina Bellero kicked off the scoring with her St. John’s-best seventh goal of the season in the 47th minute. The Melville, N.Y., native has now scored in back-to-back games after netting the game-winner against Seton Hall last week. Redshirt freshman Zsani Kajan scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 67th minute for her second tally of the season. The Wildcats put the Red Storm on their heels by closing the gap a minute after Kajan’s score as Bri Austin scored her first goal of the year, but Villanova was unable to notch the equalizer. The Wildcats earned the advantage in shots, 15-14, while Nova’s Emily Harris made six saves. Jordan Kamp picked up the win with five saves.
Full Recap
DePaul 0, Providence 0 (2OT)
Lauren Frasca made five saves for DePaul to keep a threatening Friar offense off the scoreboard as the teams played to a scoreless draw. PC outshot the Blue Demons 15-6, with none of DePaul’s strikes making it to Providence goalkeeper Shelby Hogan. With 13 points in the standings, Providence will clinch a spot in the BIG EAST Championship with a win or tie on Sunday, or a draw or loss by the Blue Demons. The Friars travel to Seton Hall while DePaul visits Villanova. The Blue Demons are currently the first team out but are just two points behind a two-way tie for fifth between Marquette and St. John’s.
Full Recap
RV Georgetown 3, Marquette 0
The Hoyas earned their fifth shutout victory of the conference season in impressive fashion, outshooting Marquette 22-3, while holding a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks. Taylor Pak’s third goal of the season, coming in the 16
th minute, proved to be the game winner before Paula Germino-Watnick and Amanda Carolan provided insurance scores. Arielle Schechtman made three saves for the clean sheet. Maddy Henry had eight saves in the setback. Georgetown clinched a spot in the BIG EAST Championship field with the win.
Full Recap
Up Next
Sunday
Providence at Seton Hall, 1 p.m.*^
RV Georgetown at #22 Butler, 1 p.m.*^
Xavier at St. John’s, 1 p.m.*^
DePaul at Villanova, 1 p.m.*^
Creighton at Marquette, 2 p.m.*^
*BIG EAST contest
^BEDN
All times Eastern