| September 27, 2012
BIG EAST MEN'S NOTEBOOK
Hoyas off to hot start
Villanova’s Offensive Production---Through eight games the Wildcats have scored 19 goals (2.38 per contest). In 2011, they totaled 23 goals in 21 outings. VU has outscored its opponents 11-4 in the second half. Eleven Wildcats have registered at least one point this season.
Making Hoya History---Georgetown has won three games in a row and are off to the best start in program history with an 8-0-1 record. Georgetown’s No. 9 ranking in the NSCAA poll ties the highest in program history. With a 1-0 overtime win against Rutgers on Sept. 222, the Hoyas have played four OT games with a record of 3-0-1 in extra time.
Connecticut at Home---UConn extended its home unbeaten streak to 31 games, the second longest active unbeaten streak in the nation (UNC, 32) and the sixth longest in NCAA history. Penalty kick results count as ties in the official NCAA record book. UConn’s offense has come to life in the past two weeks, scoring 11 goals in the last three games. Connecticut scored just six goals in the opening five games. UConn is outscoring the opposition, 17-2. The Huskies have won the Big East opener for seven straight seasons and have gone 13-2-1 under Ray Reid in Big East Conference openers.
Marquette Remains Perfect---Marquette is currently one of four teams in Division I men’s soccer to begin the season with a perfect record. The Golden Eagles have won nine consecutive regular season matches, the second-longest streak in the nation behind High Point (11). They have out-scored their opponents 16-2 in their last seven matches.
Syracuse in Big East Opening Games---SU improves its record in Big East openers to 11-13-4 after defeating Seton Hall 1-0 on Sept. 22. The victory marks the first win in a Big East opener since 2008, when the Orange defeated Marquette 1-0.
Two Undefeated Teams Fall in Conference Play---St. John’s saw its season-opening unbeaten streak end at eight games (5-0-3) with a 3-0 loss to No. 2/3 Connecticut on Sept. 22. The eight game unbeaten streak to begin the season was the best since opening 8-0-2 in 2008. St. John’s, which has played two top-10 opponents in its last three games, is 0-1-1 against ranked teams this season. Notre Dame dropped its Big East opener at Louisville 2-1. It was the first loss of the season for the Fighting Irish, who are 7-1. The setback snapped Notre Dame’s five-game win streak in Big East openers.
Offensive Player of the Week
Carlos Alvarez, Connecticut, Sr., MF
Alvarez notched an assist in a 2-0 victory over Boston College. He followed that up with two goals and an assist in UConn’s 3-0 shutout of No. 13/13 St. John’s.
Defensive Player of the Week
Andrew Farrell, Louisville, Jr., D
Farrell helped guide the Cardinals to a 2-0 week as Louisville defeated Ohio State 4-0 and upset No. 4/2 Notre Dame 2-1. He anchored a defense that allowed just three shots on goal for the shutout against OSU. Farrell and the Cardinal defense held the Fighting Irish to just three shots on goal. Farrell also added a goal and an assist.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Michael Kuzan, Seton Hall, R-Sr., GK
Kuzan made 27 saves for the Pirates in a 1-1 week. He helped SHU pick up a 2-1 win, making 13 saves, before setting a career high for the second-straight game with 14 saves in a 1-0 loss to Syracuse.
Rookie of the Week
John Manga, Cincinnati, Fr., F
Manga scored his first career goal, the gamewinner, in a 1-0 victory against undefeated Pittsburgh.
Big East Honor Roll
Cole Seiler, Georgetown, Fr., MF
Seiler scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the Hoyas to a 1-0 win against Rutgers.
Paul Dillon, Marquette, Jr., D
Dillon played all 90 minutes in MU’s fifth shutout of the season, helping Marquette to a 5-0 win against DePaul. He added an assist, his fourth of the season.
Ashani Fairclough, USF, Sr., D
Fairclough helped to anchor a defense that posted a shutout conference win against Providence. USF held the Friars to five shots, allowing only one in the second half and none in overtime.
Jordan Vale, Syracuse, Fr., MF
Scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Seton Hall on Sept. 22.
Kyle Soroka, Villanova, Sr., MF
Soroka scored both goals for Villanova in a 2-1 win against La Salle.
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