WSOC Notes - 9.25
BIG EAST Lid Lifters
Conference play begins for all 10 teams this weekend and all five matches will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network presented by SoFi. The games can be seen live on the BIG EAST YouTube channel (
www.youtube.com/BIGEASTConference), Twitter handle (@BIGEASTchamps) or Caffeine channel (
www.Caffeine.tv/BEDN). For more on why to tune into each contest, see below.
RPI Reveal
The first NCAA RPI of the season was unveiled on Monday as seven BIG EAST teams landed in the top 100. Having already matched last year’s win total, Creighton led the conference with its No. 36 ranking. Preseason favorite Georgetown followed at No. 41, while No. 51 Butler rounded out the top three BIG EAST squads. Others in the top 100 include No. 56 Villanova, No. 67 DePaul, No. 68 Providence and No. 95 Xavier. Additionally, in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Poll, the Musketeers received votes for the first time this season, while Georgetown maintained its spot at No. 12 for a second straight week.
Why We’re Watching …
DePaul at Creighton (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET): The Blue Demons have shown to be one of the top defenses in the BIG EAST through non-conference play, surrendering less than a goal (0.95) per game. Avery Hay has led that charge on the back line, while goalkeeper Mollie Eriksson is credited with four shutouts. DePaul (3-4-2) enters league play on a three-match unbeaten streak and has lost just one game in the month of September, a 1-0 setback to then-No. 7 South Carolina on a neutral pitch, two days after knocking off then-No. 11 Kansas. Creighton has gotten off to a hot start, already matching last season’s win total (six), including a trio of victories over Big 12 foes. Rookie Skylar Heinrich has made a name for herself, ranking among the national leaders in goals (seven) and points (16).
St. John’s at Providence (Saturday, 6 p.m. ET): Predicted to be one of the top scorers in the BIG EAST this season, Zsani Kajan leads the Red Storm (3-6-0) with four goals so far, including Saturday’s game winner over Cornell. Kajan will face a well-tested goalkeeper in PC’s Shelby Hogan. The redshirt-junior has been clutch, leading Providence to a 4-0-1 record in overtime contests and shows the top save percentage in the BIG EAST (.878). The Friars (5-3-1) have won two in a row and are 4-1 at home this season.
Butler at Seton Hall (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET): The Bulldogs are the second-highest scoring team in the BIG EAST through non-conference play, as five different players have tallied multiple goals on the year. Anja Savich leads Butler (5-3-1) with six scores along with one assist for 13 points. Under the direction of first-year head coach Ciara Crinion, the Pirates (1-5-1) have lost some early season heartbreakers as all of their losses has been by a single goal, including two in overtime. Rookie goalkeeper Harpa Johannsdottir has been solid in goal so far, making 25 saves and limiting opponents to one or less goals in four of seven outings.
Xavier at Villanova (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET): The Musketeers’ 7-1-2 non-league mark is tops among BIG EAST teams and their winning formula has been pretty straight forward: stingy defense plus Samantha Dewey scoring goals. XU strung together a five-game defensive scoreless streak between Sept. 6 and Sept. 20, and have allowed just one score in the last three weeks. Meanwhile Dewey’s nine goals ranks fourth nationally. Villanova was well-tested in non-conference play and earned some notable wins, including an upset of then-No. 24 LSU to open the season. The Wildcats (4-3-2) have benefitted from the recent emergence of Brice McInroy who has four goals over the last four games, including Sunday’s game winner against Brown.
Marquette at #12 Georgetown (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET): The preseason favorite Hoyas (6-2-1) have won four straight and found their scoring groove during that stretch – outscoring their opponents 18-4 since Sept. 8. Ten different Georgetown players have three points or more on the season, including Paula Germino-Watnick who leads the pack with 14 (4g, 6a). Marquette ended non-league play on a positive note, avenging an early season loss and knocking off Colorado State 2-1. Goalkeeper Maddy Henry has been tested all season, making a BIG EAST-high 53 saves over nine appearances while boasting an .803 save percentage.