Sept. 23, 2005

STORRS, Conn. - The No. 15 ranked Marquette women's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the season today, 2-1, at No. 12 Connecticut. The loss dropped the Golden Eagles to 8-1-1 overall, and 1-1 in BIG EAST play.

UConn's (6-2-1, 2-0 BIG EAST) Elizabeth Eng found the back of the net on a cross at the 11:37 mark in the first half. But Marquette's Alison Loughrin tallied the equalizer at 38:38 on a goal off of a Katie Kelly corner kick. The two teams ended the first half in a 1-1 tie. The goal was Loughrin's fourth of the season and the assist Kelly's second.

In the second frame, it was the Huskies' Eng again, tallying the gamewinner at the 63:55 mark.

"I'm proud of our effort today," said head coach Markus Roeders. "This was a game we looked forward to - a BIG EAST road game - and especially being against a team like Connecticut."

"It was everything you would expect from two teams ranked among the top 25 - high level, great pace. We had our chances, but we need to create and finish better. We all put a lot into this match, but ended up with no reward." Roeders added.

The Golden Eagles outshot the Huskies, 16-13, and committed 14 fouls to UConn's nine. In goal for Marquette, Laura Boyer made two saves, while the UConn tandem of Megan Jessee and Stephanie Labbe each registered four saves between the pipes.

Marquette returns to BIG EAST play on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Valley Fields when it hosts Providence.