It All Comes Down To This
A lot is on the line Thursday as the BIG EAST women’s soccer regular season comes to a close. Five of six slots are accounted for in the BIG EAST Championship field, with the final space going to either St. John’s or DePaul. The two teams meet in Chicago at 4 p.m. (ET). The Blue Demons need to win to get in, while the Red Storm punch their postseason ticket with a win or draw. All six seeds are still undetermined, including the No. 1 seed and regular-season champion trophy. RV Georgetown is the current standings leader with 17 points, but No. 20 Butler and Providence are just one point behind (16) in a tie for second place. All three have solidified their spots in the championship field, as has Marquette and Xavier, with the Musketeers making their first trip to the BIG EAST Championship. XU and Georgetown kick things off at 2 p.m., followed by that crucial St. John’s-DePaul tilt. Action resumes at 7 p.m., when Butler hosts Villanova, and Seton Hall welcomes Marquette, while Providence travels to Creighton at 8 p.m. to cap off the day. All five pivotal showdowns will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network.
What’s At Stake
Xavier at Georgetown: Though both teams have secured postseason berths, the Hoyas are eyeing their first BIG EAST regular-season title since 2012, when GU finished tied for first in the National Division. Georgetown has finished in the top three in all four seasons following conference realignment but have yet to finish atop the standings. The Hoyas will need to win to guarantee that finish, but could also do it with a draw and some help. The Musketeers could claim a share of the regular-season title along with the No. 1 seed with a win over GU, but will need Butler and Providence to stumble in their respective matches. Xavier can finish as high as No. 1 or as low as No. 6.
St. John’s at DePaul: St. John’s season will continue with a draw or a win, with a victory bumping the Red Storm as high as No. 4 and hosting a first round match with some help. A draw would prevent the Red Storm from hosting, but would lock them into the field at No. 5 or 6, depending on Marquette’s outcome. DePaul needs to win in order for its season to continue, with a victory locking in either the No. 5 or 6 seed, depending on what the Golden Eagles do.
Villanova at Butler: The nationally ranked Bulldogs can finish anywhere between No. 1 and No. 4, meaning they’ve already clinched a home game, whether it be the first round or semifinals. A win doesn’t guarantee anything given the logjam at the top of the standings with PC and GU, but will give Butler a better shot at a first-round bye. Even a loss or a draw won’t knock Butler out from earning a bye, as the remaining games would have to play out to determine seeding. The Bulldogs’ win over Providence on Oct. 1 could prove pivotal should the two finish tied in the standings.
Marquette at Seton Hall: The Golden Eagles could still earn a first-round home game with a win accompanied by a Xavier loss or draw. Marquette has crucial wins over all teams near them in the standings, including St. John’s, DePaul and Xavier. A loss would lock Marquette into either the No. 5 or 6 seed and hitting the road for its first-round match on Sunday.
Providence at Creighton: The Friars can finish no lower than fourth and have locked up hosting duties for at least the first round, if not the semifinals. Being the last game of the night, Providence has the advantage of knowing what will need to be done heading into the contest with the Bluejays, particularly whether or not the No. 1 seed is still up for grabs based on what Georgetown and Butler do. The Friars are the lone team in the league to have beaten the Hoyas so far, giving PC a potential pivotal tiebreaker.
Up Next
Thursday
Xavier at Georgetown, 2 p.m.*^
St. John’s at DePaul, 4 p.m.*^
Villanova at Butler, 7 p.m.*^
Marquette at Seton Hall, 7 p.m.*^
Providence at Creighton, 8 p.m.*^
*BIG EAST contest
^BEDN
All times Eastern