After two straight weeks with only one divisional series this weekend sees that number doubled. Taking part in divisional series are #11 DePaul University, #18 Marquette University, Marian University, and UW Oshkosh. Series one will be a home and home between DePaul and Marian while series two will see Marquette take on UWO, also in a home and home.

 

For Marquette, Marian and UWO this will be their final divisional series of the season, however, DePaul still has one remaining. #2 Concordia University WI has locked up the top position in the Black Division standing but second place is still up for grabs and both DePaul and Marquette have a shot to claim it.

 

There is also one inter-division series this weekend. Taking part in the home and home series is Aurora University and Milwaukee School of Engineering.

 

In non-conference action, #2 Concordia University WI hosts #7 Sault College, UW Milwaukee travels to #8 Michigan State University, Roosevelt University goes to #4 Iowa University, and Lewis University has home and home with Loyola University.

 

#11 DePaul University and Marian University face-off in a home and home series. This will be the second to last divisional series for DePaul and the final one for Marian. Heading into this series DePaul and Marian are knotted in a tie for 4th place with six points apiece.

 

To this point DePaul is averaging 4.4 goals per game and also giving up 4.4 goals per game over their five divisional games. Marian on the other hand has not fared as well, only averaging 3.75 goals for to 5.5 goals against per game, for a -14 goal differential over their eight divisional games.

 

Both teams were in action last weekend with DePaul splitting with University of Illinois and Marian was swept by #18 Marquette University. Marian will see if it can flip the script of this season and continue their good fortunes against DePaul, who they have compiled a 9-1 regular season record against, 4-0 at home and 5-1 on the road. This includes the series split from last season. Over the course of those 10 games Marian is averaging 6.5 goals per game to giving up 2.8 per game.

 

DePaul has won two of their last three meetings, with one of those victories coming in the semifinals of last season’s conference tournament. So, they will be looking to keep cutting into Marian’s historical lead in the series. In addition, a sweep could go a long way in a possible second place finish in the Black Division.

 

#18 Marquette University and UW Oshkosh find themselves embroiled in a home and home series to close out each’s divisional slate of games for the season and it’s their first meeting since October 2021. Coming into this series Marquette and UWO are on opposite ends of the Black Division standings, Marquette in a tie for second place (8 pts), with Aurora University, while UWO is in sixth place (3 pts).

 

Illuminating this divide even further is Marquette is averaging 4.6 goals for to only 4.4 goals against over their eight divisional games for a +2 goal differential, while UWO is averaging 2.6 goals for to 6.3 goals against over their seven divisional games for a -26 goals differential.

 

This series has also been a one sided affair with Marquette compiling a 7-1 all-time regular season record against UWO, including one victory coming in overtime. Marquette is also a perfect 4-0 at home, one win coming in overtime, and 3-1 on the road. Over the course of those eight games Marquette is averaging 2.7 more goals per game, 5.3-2.6, and their goals for and against are pretty close home and away, 5.5-2 and 5-3.25, respectively.

 

Marquette comes into this series on a high, having swept Marian University last week. UWO is looking to right the ship as they were also in action last weekend but suffered a defeat at the hands of Purdue University Northwest. A successful weekend by Marquette will help them break out of their tie with Aurora and stake a claim for second place. If UWO can reverse the historical results it would help provide some momentum as the conference tournament approaches.

 

Aurora University v./at Milwaukee School of Engineering

 

#2 Concordia University WI v. #7 Sault College

UW Milwaukee at #8 Michigan State University

Roosevelt University at #4 Iowa University

Lewis University at/v. Loyola University