SXU midfielder Pedro Guzman in possession of the ball SXU Athletics
Saint Xavier University vs. Saint Ambrose University 2-1 (L)
The men’s Saint Xavier University soccer team was knocked out of the CCAC tournament to Saint Ambrose University by a score of 2-1 in double overtime.
It will be a hard-fought game on Thursday, Nov.7, at Schaaf Athletic Complex in Palos Heights, Illinois.
The Cougars scored the opening goal in the 78th minute to take the lead via junior midfielder Pedro Guzman.
In the 88th minute, SXU gave away a penalty to the Trolls, who converted from the spot to level the game.
After 90 minutes of play, both teams were heading to overtime. In the first half of overtime, both teams could not find the winning goal and headed to the second half. A minute into the second half, the Trolls scored a goal to secure the victory.
The Cougars were going for the equalizer to take the game to penalty kicks, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough and saw their season ending early.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Joel Estrada made seven saves, while senior midfielder Francisco Espinoza had two shots and one shot to the goal in 96 minutes.
Estrada, midfielder Daniel Diaz, senior defender Aldo Lagunas, junior midfielder Omar Aparicio, and defender Jessie Cardiel all played 101 minutes for SXU.
Overall, the Cougars would not be happy with an elimination in the CCAC quarter-finals after such a great start to the season. The hope is to have a much better season next year.
Saint Xavier University vs. Holy Cross College 3-3 (D) 3-1 L on PKs
The women’s soccer team also featured in the CCAC quarter-finals, and the game went down to the wire. After going to overtime, the Cougars lost 3-1 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw at Holy Cross College.
SXU saw their season cut short on Wednesday, Nov.6, at Saint Field in Notre Dame, Ind.
For the first time since November of 2010, SXU had to decide a game via a penalty shootout. That game saw SXU being defeated by Trinity International University 3-2 in the CCAC quarterfinals.
This was also the first time since the Cougars played in an overtime game since Oct. of 2021 against Olivet Nazarene University in a 0-0 draw.
The Saints broke the deadlock in the 71st minute after fifth-year senior goalkeeper Eden Suda made a save, but she could not keep hold of the ball, and the Saints scored off the rebound.
In the 73rd minute, Junior midfielder Veronica Davilla brought the game to level terms off an assist from junior midfielder Hope Lewis.
Then, in the 74th minute, the Saints retook the lead, and it was looking like an intense back-and-forth game.
In the 84th minute mark, Senior defender Jacqueline Gonzalez scored to even the game. It was her first goal off a corner kick from senior midfielder Louisa Schreiber.
SXU then took their first lead of the game two minutes at the 86 minute, in which sophomore forward Alex Jonaitis found the back of the net from a pass from junior midfielder Hailey Henry.
The Cougars could not hold on to the lead for long, and HCC drew the game 3-3 in the 87th minute.
Both teams headed to overtime, and in overtime, the Cougars created a few chances but could not capitalize. In the second half of the overtime period, both teams struggled to find opportunities, and the game went to a penalty shootout.
Davilla was the first taker, and she converted from the spot to make it 1-0 for SXU. The next three attempts from SXU failed to get past the keeper, and HHC made four out of five to advance to the CCAC quarter-finals.
SXU’s desired run to the CCAC championship has ended, but they are looking forward to working hard and coming back stronger next year.