Nov. 11, 2006

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MILWAUKEE - Junior midfielder Julia Egasti picked a fine time to score her first career goal as it was all the Marquette women's soccer team need to defeat Purdue, 1-0, and advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament for the second consecutive year. With the win, the Golden Eagles improve to 12-6-4 overall, while Purdue finished its season with a 14-6-3 mark. Marquette will play no. 16 Florida, who shut out Loyola (Ill.), 2-0. Kickoff at Valley Fields is set for Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m.

"I am just elated we won and we are playing tomorrow," said head coach Markus Roeders. "We won with our trademark, creating chances up front and defending. We did a good job in the midfield working with one another and getting the ball up. This team played very experienced tonight. They weren't nervous and they played the way they had to, to get a win over a team that had a very good year."

Both teams came out fired up not to let their seasons end tonight and traded corner kick opportunities early. Marquette got the first one 1:37 into the game, Purdue countered with one of their own just over two minutes later and Loredana Riverso put a shot on target that Boyer was able to save.

"Purdue is a very good team and we give them a lot of credit for the pressure they put on us," Roeders said.

Five minutes later Marquette and Purdue were each able to get shots off within minutes of each other's attacks. First Boilermaker Parrisaa Eyorokon sent one high over the top of the goal and senior midfielder Meghan Connelly sent her shot wide.

Egasti scored Marquette's lone goal in the 31st minute of the game 16 seconds after substituting in for freshman forward Michelle Compty. With two defenders on her, junior forward Allison Mallams split the defense with pass out to the wing where Egasti ran on to it. Egasti took a few steps and sent the ball low and to the left corner past Purdue's keeper Lauren Mason.

"Al-Mal played a perfect ball to me which made it easy," said Egasti of her goal. "I just tried to keep it low and to the far post. I have to make the most of my chances since I have limited playing time. It is such an awesome feeling to score my first goal in the NCAA Tournament."

"We had another player step up tonight. It was Julia's night," added Roeders.

That goal proved to be all Marquette needed to secure the win. Purdue tried to manufacture opportunities getting four shots off in the second half and being awarded back-to-back corner kicks near the end of the game. However, each of those chances were swallowed up by Marquette's stingy defense that has allowed three goals in its last eight games.

"I didn't feel we were going to let anything in," said Roeders of Marquette's second half play. "Purdue tried different ways of pushing forward but was unable to get anything."

MU looked for a second goal to protect the win with senior defender Michelle Pitzl, sophomore midfielder Michelle Martin and Mallams all getting looks at the goal, but were unable get anything by Mason.

The Golden Eagles capped the game taking 12 shots, four on goal. Junior goalkeeper Laura Boyer earned her fifth shutout of the season making two stops in net. Purdue had eight shots on the evening, two on goal, while Mason tallied three saves.

Marquette is one of five BIG EAST teams that advanced to second round. Along with the Golden Eagles, Connecticut, Villanova, Rutgers and Notre Dame defeated their respective opponents. West Virginia and Louisville each got knocked out on Friday night with the Mountaineers falling to Virginia, 2-0, and the Cardinals losing to Duke, 0-0, 6-5 in penalty kicks.

"This win is a testament to playing in the BIG EAST," said Roeders. "The level of play in our conference definitely prepared us to play tonight and in the NCAA Tournament."

In the first game, Florida used two goals from Ameera Abdullah to defeat Loyola (Ill.), 2-0, and advance to the second round. Sunday's game will be the first ever meeting between the Gators and Golden Eagles.