WSOC Notes - 10.8.19
NEW YORK – Women’s soccer teams enter the fourth round of BIG EAST play on Thursday as all 10 teams take the pitch. Four of the five matches feature opponents either tied in the standings or within a game of each other, including an opportunity for two teams to catch standings leader No. 10 Georgetown. The Hoyas host Xavier at 3 p.m. ET, while DePaul and Providence, who are tied with the Musketeers in second place, meet in the Ocean State at 7 p.m. The Friars-Blue Demons matchup is one of two games streaming on the BIG EAST Digital Network presented by SoFi on Thursday night, along with Marquette at St. John’s (7 p.m.). The Red Storm have a two-point edge in the standings over the Golden Eagles.
Why We’re Watching …
Xavier at #10 Georgetown (3 p.m., GUHoyas.com): With their highest national ranking since being No. 7 in the preseason, the 10th-ranked Hoyas have been on a tear – winning seven straight matches, including five consecutive shutouts, outscoring their opponents 27-4 during that stretch. They’re outscoring BIG EAST opponents by an average of three goals per match but have arguably their toughest offensive opponent next in the Musketeers. XU’s Samantha Dewey is the league leader in points (25) and goals (11) and is coming off a two-goal outing on Sunday. GU’s Amanda Carolan is right behind Dewey, however, listing second in both points (22) and goals (nine).
Villanova at Seton Hall (6 p.m., SHUPirates.com): The Pirates will look to bounce back after a tough loss at Xavier on Sunday, while the Wildcats had to settle for a draw after a penalty kick in the 86th minute knotted the game. Both squads have been in some grinders of games, as both teams have had eight of their matches this season decided by a goal or less. Laura Hooper has a SHU-high 26 shots on the year, while VU’s Brice McInroy could provide the dagger as she has three game-winning goals over 12 appearances in 2019.
Marquette at St. John’s (7 p.m., BEDN): Just two points separate these familiar foes in the standings as they both look to move up the ledger in the weeks to come. The Red Storm are a strong 4-2 at home this season, including a 1-0 win over Seton Hall last Thursday. Meredith Reinhardt has shined in net, making 12 saves over her last two appearances, including a shutout victory. Nine of Marquette’s games have been decided by a goal or less, including two of three BIG EAST contests. Seven different Golden Eagles have scored on the year, including two goals for Macey Shock.
DePaul at Providence (7 p.m., BEDN): Knotted in second place and just three points shy of standings leader Georgetown, DePaul or Providence could find themselves in a first-place tie with the Hoyas and Xavier by the end of the night. The Blue Demons went 2-0 last week, putting up multiple goals in back-to-back games for the first time this season, and making the second-largest leap in the NCAA RPI by any BIG EAST team this week with its 12-spot jump to No. 59. The Friars went 1-1 last week as the Hoyas ended PC’s winning streak at four matches, but Providence proved once again to be one of the most clutch teams in the conference. The Friars won at Marquette on Thursday in double-overtime to improve to 5-0-1 in games decided in extra periods.
Butler at Creighton (8 p.m., GoCreighton.com): Tied in the standings with four points apiece, both teams went 0-1-1 last week and posted a draw on Sunday afternoon. Two of the top scorers in the BIG EAST will square off in Creighton’s Skylar Heinrich and Butler’s Anja Savich. Savich is the reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and Heinrich is making a statement towards being the next honoree. Heinrich has nine goals over 12 appearances this year, while Savich has seven over 12, which each adding a pair of assists to boot.
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday
Xavier at #10 Georgetown, 3 p.m.*
Villanova at Seton Hall, 6 p.m.*
Marquette at St. John’s, 7 p.m.*^ YouTube | Caffeine | Twitter
DePaul at Providence, 7 p.m.*^ YouTube | Caffeine | Twitter
Butler at Creighton, 8 p.m.*
Sunday
DePaul at Villanova, 1 p.m.*
St. John’s at Butler, 1 p.m.*
Creighton at #10 Georgetown, 1 p.m.*^
Marquette at Seton Hall, 1 p.m.*
Providence at Xavier, 1 p.m.
All times Eastern
*BIG EAST contest
^BEDN