WSOC Notes - 9.26.17
In The Polls
Despite winning on Sunday in its lone game of the week, Georgetown fell two spots in the United Soccer Coaches Poll to No. 17. Butler once again doubled its vote totals, moving up to the third team just outside the top 25. The Bulldogs own a BIG EAST-best eight-game winning streak, all in shutout fashion. Marquette also continued to receive votes. In the second installment of the NCAA RPI, the Hoyas continued to lead the league, coming in at No. 35, followed by the Golden Eagles at No. 39, Butler at 42 and Providence at 66, an eight-spot leap for the Friars from the week before. Xavier made the most notable improvement, jumping 38 slots to No. 107.
BEDN Tune In
All five of Thursday’s BIG EAST showdowns will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network, including a battle of 1-0 league teams in Providence at Xavier (7 p.m. ET). Action kicks off at 4 p.m. in Chicago when No. 17 Georgetown visits DePaul. The Blue Demons dashed the Hoyas hopes of a BIG EAST regular-season title in 2016 by dealing GU its lone BIG EAST loss of the season, before Georgetown avenged that setback by eliminating DePaul in the BIG EAST Championship Semifinals in a match that was decided in penalty kicks. A trio of 7 p.m. matches follow, including that PC-XU tilt, along with Creighton at St. John’s and RV Butler at Seton Hall. Villanova visits RV Marquette in the nightcap, slated for 8 p.m.
Milestone Markers
DePaul head coach Erin Chastain is three wins shy of the century mark for her career, entering Thursday’s tilt with No. 17 Georgetown at 97-92-22 in 10-plus seasons in Chicago. The Blue Demons have flourished since conference realignment, averaging the second-most BIG EAST wins per season (6.3) since 2013. Marquette leads the pack at 6.5 conference victories per year, including 2013’s 9-0-0 slate. Another milestone will be on the horizon Thursday when Georgetown comes to town as senior midfielder Rachel Corboz is seven points shy of 100 for her career. Corboz is the national leader among active players in career assists with 35, to go along with 29 career goals. The showdown for Corboz will be an interesting one on Thursday as she will go head-to-head with fellow MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List member and reigning BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year Alexa Ben.
Weekly Schedule
Thursday
#17 Georgetown at DePaul, 4 p.m. *^
RV Butler at Seton Hall, 7 p.m. *^
Creighton at St. John’s, 7 p.m. *^
Providence at Xavier, 7 p.m. *^
Villanova at RV Marquette, 8 p.m. *^
Sunday
Seton Hall at #17 Georgetown, 1 p.m.
RV Butler at Providence, 1 p.m.*^
Xavier at Villanova, 1 p.m.
RV Marquette at St. John’s, 1 p.m.*^
DePaul at Creighton, 2 p.m.
*BIG EAST Contest
^BEDN
All Times Eastern