(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) – The Marquette University women’s soccer team (4-3-2, 0-0-1 BIG EAST) opened BIG EAST Conference play with a 2-2 draw against Butler (3-1-4. 0-0-1 BIG EAST) on Saturday night at Valley Fields.
The Golden Eagles trailed 2-0 at the intermission before rallying to earn the draw with a pair of second-half goals from senior Cate Downs and junior Ella McAleenan.
“Normally I hate ties,” head coach Chris Allen said. “But this one almost feels like a win the way our team competed and controlled possession in the second half. I am really proud of our effort tonight and the match was there for the taking in the final minutes.”
Downs tracked down a deflected cross from just inside the top of the box on the left side and perfectly placed a left-footed shot into the upper right corner of the net. Just over two minutes later, McAleenan’s left-footed show from 20 yards out found the same area of the net after sophomore Coco Dorfman’s free kick rattled the crossbar and deflected right to McAleenan.
Butler finished with a narrow 15-13 advantage in overall shots, but Marquette concluded the night with a 10-5 margin in attempts on goal.
UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles continue BIG EAST play on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. CT when the team travels to Creighton.
NOTES
- Senior Abby Ruhland and freshman Olivia Hernandez made their respective first-career starts for the Golden Eagles
- Junior Capri Oliviero made her season debut on Saturday
- Junior Elise Krone made her season debut in net, holding the Bulldogs scoreless in the second half and finishing with a pair of saves.
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