#BEfútbol Minute: Two Matches Left In 2017 Regular Season
Men's Soccer Update - 10.27.17 (PDF)
NEW YORK – The 2016 and 2015 BIG EAST tournament champions, Butler and Georgetown, were the first to qualify for the 2017 championship field. Earning points with a win and a tie on Wednesday, the two have also guaranteed hosting duties for either the first rounds or semifinals as neither can finish lower than fourth.
Also known before Saturday’s full slate of games: Butler, who currently leads the league with 18 points and an 6-1-0 league record, needs a tie to earn a bye to the semifinals. Georgetown, currently in second with 16 points and a 5-1-1 record needs a win to solidify a bye. St. John’s and Xavier can be next to qualify for the 2017 tournament. The Red Storm just needs a tie in the next two matches. The Musketeers needs a win or two ties in the next two matches.
The 2017 BIG EAST regular season will wrap up quickly with five matches on Saturday and five on Wednesday. All 10 final games will be covered on the BIG EAST Digital Network. On Wednesday, Nov. 1, BEDN will also have a
#BracketDay special in studio in New York with wall-to-wall coverage of the final day of the regular season. The final day of the regular season will also be featured on the BIG EAST Conference Instagram story from the five locations.
BIG EAST Regular Season Awards will be announced the Friday prior to the start of the BIG EAST Championship. The final BIG EAST weekly award will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Saturday On @BIGEASTdigital
PROVIDENCE at VILLANOVA at 1 p.m. ET
One point separates Villanova and Providence in the current standings. The Friars are unbeaten in their last five matches with three ties. Four of those five matches have gone into overtime. Providence has seven points in the league standings and have finished with back-to-back scoreless draws at Georgetown and against Creighton in their last two games. Villanova has six points and is 2-3 in their last five, most recently suffering a loss at St. John’s in 2OT. Although Villanova leads the regular season series between the two teams 11-8-2, Providence leads the overall series, 13-11-2. Mac Steeves leads the Friar goal effort with eight on the year and 19 points. Villanova’s Lucas Hodges leads the Wildcats scoring effort with 13 points (5G, 3A).
No. 10 GEORGETOWN at ST. JOHN’S at 7 p.m. ET
The series between Georgetown and St. John’s dates back to 1985 with St. John’s leading the all-time series 21-8-3. The last four meetings between these two teams have resulted in 1-0 endings. Georgetown has won the last three. Although Georgetown has already qualified for the tournament, a win will guarantee Georgetown a bye to the tournament semifinals. St. John’s needs at least a point to qualify for the tournament. At least a tie with the Hoyas will guarantee that the Red Storm can not be caught by the bottom four teams. Both Georgetown and St. John’s are coming off extra time games. The Hoyas finished in a scoreless draw, but the Red Storm won its first overtime game this year, a come-from-behind win with two late goals scored by Filippo Ricupati. Alistair Johnston and Harry Cooksley lead the Red Storm in points with 10 each. Ricupati has four goals this year. SJU keeper Andrew Withers ranks second in league play in goals against average with just five allowed (0.68 gaavg). GU’s JT Marcinkowski is the league-leader in BIG EAST games with a .41 goals against average with just three goals allowed. Freshman Derek Dodson leads the Hoya scoring threat with 14 points (6G, 2A). Achara also has six goals this season.
SETON HALL at XAVIER at 7 p.m. ET
Xavier needs two points to solidify a championship berth. The Musketeers can do that with a win on Saturday or ties in their final two matches. Seton Hall is currently in a tie with Villanova for eighth place, which is just two points shy of Creighton, who currently ranks in sixth with eight points. Xavier leads the overall series 3-1-0, but Seton Hall won last season’s meeting 2-1. Xavier is coming off a 2-0 road win at DePaul. At home, the Musketeers are unbeaten in league action at 3-0-0. XU is led by Matt Vasquenza with 15 points (6G, 3A). Seton Hall’s last win also came against DePaul, but was on Oct. 7. The Pirates have lost their last three matches, two of which were to the nationally ranked teams in the conference, Georgetown and Butler. Seton Hall is led by Andres Arcila with 17 points with seven goals and three assists.
No. 21 BUTLER at MARQUETTE at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
Butler currently leads the league with 18 points and a 6-1-0 record and is riding a shutout streak that has lasted four-straight matches, including the non-conference game against then-No. 1 Indiana. Senior keeper Eric Dick ties for a league-best eight shutouts. Regarding the BIG EAST Championship, the Bulldogs just need a tie against Marquette to solidify a first-round bye. The Golden Eagles are currently in fifth place, gaining three points in a 4-3 win over Creighton. Butler leads the all-time series 3-2-0 and has won all three matches in the last three years. Last year, the Bulldogs won 2-1. Butler’s Brandon Guhl leads the Dawgs offensive unit with 21 points (9G, 3A). For Marquette, Grant Owens leads with eight points (4G). MU’s Luka Prpa has a foot on each goal against the Bluejays, marking four assists for the night, a league match-high this year.
DEPAUL at CREIGHTON at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
Creighton leads the all-time series against DePaul, 4-0-0, winning 4-1 in Chicago last season. The Bluejays are playing off a tough 4-3 loss at Marquette, where CU rallied but fell just short. DePaul is playing off a loss to Xavier at home. Creighton is currently in sixth place with eight points, while DePaul has four points and is currently in last. DePaul’s Philipp Konigstein leads the Blue Demons in scoring with 14 points (6G, 2A). For Creighton, Ricky Lopez-Espin leads the way with 20 points (9G, 2A).
#BEfútbol Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 28 (all matches on @BIGEASTdigital)
PROVIDENCE at VILLANOVA at 1 p.m. ET (
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No. 10 GEORGETOWN at ST. JOHN’S at 7 p.m. ET (
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WATCH)
SETON HALL at XAVIER at 7 p.m. ET (
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WATCH)
DEPAUL at CREIGHTON at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. local (
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WATCH)
No. 21 BUTLER at MARQUETTE at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. local (
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WATCH)
All times are Eastern, unless noted.