VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Marquette women’s soccer team won it’s fourth straight match in the form of a 3-0 shutout at Villanova Friday afternoon at Villanova Soccer Stadium. Julia Victor, Ashley Bares and Maegan Kelly each scored in the win to help the Golden Eagles improve to 7-3-2 overall and remain perfect in BIG EAST play (4-0-0). The loss drops Villanova to 6-6-0 overall (1-3-0 BIG EAST).
 
“That was a good win on the road for us,” said head coach Markus Roeders. “The field conditions and the wind made it tough to play great soccer, but ultimately it is about finishing chances and winning. Give Villanova credit for a great fight and making it a 90-minute game. Our depth showed tonight and that we have outstanding talent. If we struggle in a position, we have somebody who can pick us up and elevate the play.”
 
The Golden Eagles began creating chances from the moment the first whistle blew with Rosie Malone-Povolny, Rachel Brown, Lauren Thut, Rachael Sloan, Lisa Philbin and Julia Victor all getting involved in MU’s attack before it got on the board with seven seconds left in first half.
 
In the 45th minute, Britney Scott and Stephanie Vasos went hard after a ball near the top of the 18-yard box. The ball was deflected off a Villanova defender and Vasos was taken down inside the box while trying to get to the ball. Victor stepped up to take the ensuing penalty kick and directed her shot to the right of Jami Kranich to put Marquette up, 1-0.
 
The Golden Eagles continued their attack in the second half and Bares scored in the 54th minute to make it 2-0. Bares collected a pass from Kelly, and with a defender on her back Bares turned and launched her shot to the far post past Kranich for the score.
 
Following the Bares’ strike, Sloan, Kelly and Bares each had excellent opportunities to score but were unable to capitalize on their chances.
 
Kelly scored the Golden Eagles’ third and final goal of the game at the 76:55 mark. After Villanova was called for a foul near the 18-yard box, Victor fed Kelly a short pass for the free kick and Kelly sent a rocket to the far post from 22 yards out.
 
For the game, the Golden Eagles outshot the Wildcats, 19-13, with nine of those shots being on goal.  
 
Natalie Kulla earned her fourth shutout of the season while stopping six shots. Kranich was also credited with six saves.
 
Marquette will return to action at No. 22 Georgetown Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT at North Keho Field. A live video stream (pay per view) and live stats will be available courtesy of www.guhoyas.com.
 
 
Game Notes
• Marquette is 4-0 in league play for the first time since joining the BIG EAST in 2005.
 
• Natalie Kulla earned her fourth shutout of the season, 26th of the season. Kulla is four shutouts shy of breaking MU’s all-time record of 29.
 
• Ashley Bares has scored a goal in three of MU’s last four games, while Maegan Kelly has scored in two of the last three games.
 
• Marquette moves to 4-0 all-time against Villanova.