You ever see a goal that’s so ridiculous that you immediately say, “Boy, I hope that the team scores at least one more just to make it look like they didn’t benefit from sheer bonkers luck in this match?” Well, that was me, seeing highlights of Marquette women’s soccer’s visit to St. Thomas on Sunday afternoon. Given the start time and the “in Minnesota” thing, I was never going to pay $10 for a month of Summit League Network to watch.
The goal in question? Coco Dorfman’s first career goal in the
7th minute against the Tommies.
Come on. What are we doing here.
That was in the 7th minute, and it was the third shot of the match already with all three shots coming on frame, one each getting saved on either side before Dorfman’s goal. Marquette’s lead did not last all that long, as the Tommies pulled level on their second shot of the match. After that, though, Marquette started asserting themselves. The Golden Eagles started pumping shot after shot at UST keeper Olivia Rowe, and eventually, Megan Murray broke through in the 20th minute.
That’s an old fashioned hockey advice goal, get it out in front and just keep taking cracks at it, eventually something good will happen. The shots kept on coming for Marquette as they built a 14-6 advantage in that department in the first half, but it took until the 38th minute before the Golden Eagles found their way past Rowe for a third time on the day.
Olivia Hernandez’s control of the ball down the wing is what set up that goal, but the fact that Jocelyn Leigh wasn’t alone out in front of the net did a lot of work there as well. The defense had to watch everyone, and that left Leigh with space. It also left Leigh with a goal in each of Marquette’s last three matches.
The scoring slowed waaaaaay down after halftime, even though Marquette’s pressure on the Tommies did not. Shots went 17-1 in favor of the Golden Eagles, and Olivia Rowe had to make NINE saves to stymie MU’s attack. She couldn’t stay perfect for 45 minutes, and Abby Ruhland was there in the 77th minute when she finally broke.
That’s not a metaphor. Watch the close replay in that clip. Rowe didn’t clean up Josie Bieda’s cross well enough, and the ball was just right there in front of Ruhland to pop it over Rowe for the goal.
How about a full highlight package, courtesy of GoMarquette.com and the Summit League Network?
Up Next: Marquette’s run of road matches continues on Thursday when they face Kansas City, another Summit League foe. First kick on September 4th is set for 7pm Central down in Missouri, and Summit League Network will have the streaming broadcast if you have $10 for a month of access. The Roos are 3-3-0 on the year after losing 3-2 to Tulsa on Sunday afternoon.
