BIG EAST Notes - 9.20.17
In The Polls
Georgetown enjoyed a three-spot jump in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Poll, moving up to No. 15 after scoring a 2-0 win at Towson on Sunday. The Hoyas conclude non-league play with a 6-2-1 record and carry an unbeaten streak of four games. After clinching its sixth consecutive shutout victory on Sunday against Indiana State, Butler (6-1-1) saw its vote totals more than double from a week ago, as the Bulldogs become the sixth team just outside the top 25. Butler closes out non-conference play Thursday against Chicago State. Marquette (7-2-1) also continued to receive votes, falling out of the top 25 after its eight-game unbeaten streak came to a close on Sunday. In the Midwest Regional Poll, the Hoyas moved up to No. 4, followed by Butler at No. 5 and Marquette at No. 8.
League Lid Lifters
Following one final non-conference tilt (Chicago State at Butler, Thursday), BIG EAST play gets under way this weekend as all 10 teams take the pitch in games streaming on the BIG EAST Digital Network. League action kicks off at 1 p.m. (ET) on Saturday when Seton Hall visits DePaul. The Hall has held five opponents to one goal or fewer this year and the Pirates will rely on that stingy defense against a Blue Demons squad who has the second-most goals (14) in the conference so far this season. Villanova at Providence follows at 4 p.m. The Friars have won four straight, while the Wildcats have seen incredible production on both sides of the field out of senior defender Emily Kuefler. All three of Sunday’s BIG EAST tilts kick off at 1 p.m., with reigning BIG EAST Tournament champion No. 15 Georgetown looking to continue on its successes from 2016. The Hoyas host St. John’s, which held Georgetown scoreless in last year’s showdown. Creighton travels to Xavier as the Bluejays have won two of their last three, while the Musketeers can get scoring from any number of sources as six different players have found the back of the net this season. One of the biggest matches of the weekend pits RV Marquette at RV Butler. Two of the BIG EAST’s top goalkeepers, Maddy Henry of Marquette and Hannah Luedtke of Butler, will likely be spotlighted in what is sure to be a defensive battle as the teams have combined for 13 clean sheets in 2017.
BEDN Tune In
All five of this weekend’s conference openers will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network as BEDN is set to cover 35 regular-season women’s soccer matches this season. Coverage continues next week as all five of Thursday’s conference tilts will be available on the FOX Sports GO app. BEDN will also offer postseason coverage, including the BIG EAST Women’s Soccer Championship presented by Jeep First Round and Semifinals, Oct. 29 and Nov. 2, before FS1 takes over for the league title match on Nov. 5.
RPI Reveal
The first NCAA RPI of the season was unveiled on Monday, with five BIG EAST teams ranked in the top 100 and three in the top 40. Marquette led the way at No. 26, followed by No. 32 Georgetown and No. 37 Butler. Providence (74) and Villanova (89) also listed in the top 100. Five BIG EAST squads finished in the top 100 a season ago, highlighted by the Hoyas’ No. 6 mark following their run to the College Cup. Earning an at-large NCAA Tournament selection, Marquette peaked at No. 25 and finished in the top 30, while DePaul (54), Providence (62) and St. John’s (74) all finished in the top 75.
Weekly Schedule
Thursday
Chicago State at Butler, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Seton Hall at DePaul, 1 p.m.*^
Villanova at Providence, 4 p.m.*^
Sunday
St. John’s at No. 15 Georgetown, 1 p.m.*^
Creighton at Xavier, 1 p.m.*^
RV Marquette at RV Butler, 1 p.m.*^
*BIG EAST Contest
^BEDN
All Times Eastern