WSOC Hosts Butler In BIG EAST Lidlifter Saturday at 7 p.m. CT

The Marquette University women's soccer team (4-3-0, 0-0-0 BIG EAST) opens BIG EAST play on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. CT when the squad welcomes Butler (3-1-3, 0-0-0 BIG EAST) to Valley Fields for the league lidlifter.

Leigh Continues Scoring Stretch

Sophomore forward Jocelyn Leigh, who netted the equalizer in the 1-1 draw with Loyola in the non-conference finale, has now found the back of the net in four of the team's last five outings.

The Evanston, Illinois native played her freshman year for the Ramblers and headed home the team's lone score on Sunday afternoon at Valley Fields. She has also scored single goals against Wisconsin (PK), Minnesota and St. Thomas.

Through matches of Sept. 16, Leigh ranks sixth in the BIG EAST in goals (4) and ninth in points (8).

Shea, Decker Anchor Back Line

While head coach Chris Allen has started multiple versions of the team's back line in non-conference play, the two stalwarts have been freshmen Clare Shea and Meg Decker.

The duo leads the team in minutes among field players and both have started each of the team's eight outings.

On Sunday, the newcomers assisted on Jocelyn Leigh's goal, getting into the mix on the offensive end as well.

MU Looks Forward To Home Stay

After opening the season with five of the team's first seven matches away from Milwaukee, the Golden Eagles are playing 4-of-5 outings at Valley Fields over the course of the next three weeks. That run includes 3-of-4 at home to start BIG EAST action.

Balanced Scoring On Display

Marquette has netted a total of 14 goals through the first eight matches, with nine different players finding the back of the net for the Golden Eagles. Five players (Keiper, Ruhland, Dorfman, Shea and Alberts) have collected their respective first-career goals in 2025.

Marquette scored a total of just 22 goals in 20 total matches in 2024.

Offense Shows Signs Of Life

Through matches of Sept. 16, Marquette ranks third in the league in shots (106), third in goals (14), fourth in points (41) and third in goals per game (1.75).

In 2024, Marquette averaged just 1.10 goals per match and collected a total of 91 shots on goal (already 52 through eight matches in 2025).

Allen Not Afraid To Use Bench

While seven different players have started each of the team's eight matches, head coach Chris Allen hasn't been afraid to use his bench, early and often.

A total of 24 players have now seen action in 2025 and a trio of squad members (Erin O'Keefe, Kiley McMinn and Capri Oliviero) have been sidelined with injuries and entered the season as expected contributors.

Series With Butler Dates To 1995

Marquette's all-time series with Butler dates back to 1995, but the two teams didn't start meeting regularly until the Bulldogs joined the BIG EAST Conference.

Marquette hasn't defeated Butler at home since a 2-1 overtime decision in 2016 and the most recent win in the series was a 4-1 decision in Indianapolis in 2022.

WSOC Hosts Butler In BIG EAST Lidlifter Saturday at 7 p.m. CT

Players Mentioned

Meg Decker

Jocelyn Leigh

Kiley McMinn

Erin O'Keefe

Capri Oliviero

Clare Shea

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