BIG EAST Notes - 9.5.17
Defensive Leaders
The top four teams in the BIG EAST based on winning percentage have combined for 15 shutouts this season, highlighted by notable active shutout streaks by RV Marquette and Butler. The Golden Eagles have not allowed a goal in over 380 minutes, while the Bulldogs’ active streak has eclipsed 446 minutes. MU, BU, No. 15 Georgetown and St. John’s have combined to outscore their opponents 36-16, while averaging nearly 40 percent more shots, including nearly 50 percent more strikes on goal than their opposition. The Hoyas have converted that staunch defense into offense, averaging a league-best 2.17 goals per game. Villanova is coming off a notable weekend with its own set of back-to-back shutouts, marking the first time since 2008 the Wildcats scored consecutive shutout victories. Villanova won four straight BIG EAST contests between Sept. 28 and Oct. 10, 2008, without surrendering a goal.
Face Of The Defense
Goalkeepers provide the final line of defense and there are some talented ones in the BIG EAST this season. Butler newcomer Leonie Doege has yet to allow a goal in 335 minutes of action, one of just seven Division I keepers to do so this season. Butler has the unique advantage of being able to rotate starting goalkeepers, as Hannah Luedtke ranks second in the BIG EAST behind Doege with a .923 save percentage and 0.40 goals against average. Marquette sophomore Maddy Henry has claimed back-to-back BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week honors and has the most saves (19) by any league keeper with a sub-1 GAA. Georgetown’s Arielle Schechtman continues to climb the NCAA’s active career leaders charts, currently boasting Division I’s third-best career GAA of 0.60. Additionally, Xavier’s Toni Bizzarro averages 6.67 saves per contest, 24
th-best in D1.
In The Polls
Georgetown remained the BIG EAST’s top-ranked team for a fourth consecutive week, as the Hoyas dropped five spots to No. 15 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. GU will have a pivotal showdown on Sunday at home against No. 14 Rutgers. Marquette, winners of five straight, received votes for a second straight week, showing a noticeable jump in points from 11 last week to 26 this week. The Golden Eagles will play back-to-back road games this weekend at Boston University and Rhode Island. Additional notable matchups on deck this week include Butler, winners of four straight, at No. 10 Texas A&M (Friday, 7 p.m.), DePaul hosting RV Pepperdine (Friday, 4 p.m.), Providence welcoming Arkansas (Sunday, 12:30 p.m.) and Creighton visiting Kansas State (Sunday, 2 p.m.).
Weekly Schedule
Thursday
Providence at Brown, 7 p.m.
Marist at Seton Hall, 7 p.m.
Friday
St. Francis at #15 Georgetown, 4 p.m.
RV Pepperdine at DePaul, 4 p.m.
UMKC at Creighton, 6 p.m.
Loyola (Md.) at St. John’s, 6 p.m.
Butler at #10 Texas A&M, 7 p.m.
Xavier at Duquesne, 7 p.m.
RV Marquette at Boston University, 7 p.m.
Villanova at Lehigh, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Arkansas at Providence, 12:30 p.m.
#14 Rutgers at #15 Georgetown, 1 p.m.
Seton Hall at Duquesne, 1 p.m.
RV Marquette at Rhode Island, 1 p.m.
La Salle at Villanova, 1 p.m.
Creighton at Kansas State, 2 p.m.
William & Mary at DePaul, 2 p.m.
Northern Kentucky at Xavier, 7 p.m.
Lehigh at St. John’s, 7 p.m.
All Times Eastern