As the 2026 women's soccer season draws near, Marquette is confronting a set of pressing questions that could determine whether the program finally ends its eight‑year conference tournament drought. The discussion centers on defensive stability, goaltending reliability and the ability to unlock the offense that was on display in the previous campaign.
Key Storylines
In 2025 the team outshot opponents 222 to 203, yet the raw numbers conceal a defensive vulnerability that became pronounced during Big East play, where Marquette faced 122 shots while allowing 116. Goaltender Hailey Wade posted a 1.70 goals‑per‑90 minutes average and a 54 % save percentage, figures that have sparked debate about her effectiveness and whether the defense is failing her.
Top scorers Jocelyn Leigh and Coco Dorfman saw limited minutes — 742 and 514 respectively — despite their status as offensive leaders, with their starting roles delayed until late in the season. The return of four of the top six and six of the top eight scorers from 2025 suggests offensive production could improve if minutes are distributed more evenly.
A strong early‑season slate, highlighted by victories over Xavier and Georgetown in the first six league games, offers Marquette a realistic pathway to a postseason berth. The Big East’s recent tournament format changes have made qualification more competitive, but a 3‑4‑3 record and 12 points in 2025 placed the team just behind Creighton’s fourth‑place finish, underscoring the narrow margin for error.
Freshman Mia Hurd is being evaluated as a potential backup goalie should the current net‑minder’s inconsistencies persist. Meanwhile, tactical adjustments such as tighter ball pressure and faster transitions could address the defensive lapses that have plagued the team around the net.