The Saint Xavier University (SXU) men’s soccer team swept a three game homestand to improve their record to 5-2 on the young season.
Game 1: Saint Xavier- 2 Hannibal-LaGrange- 1
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Cougars began the homestand against Hannibal-Lagrange University (HLGU). Heading into play the Cougars were 2-2 following a 2-0 loss against Campbellsville University. Before the game it was announced that redshirt junior goalkeeper Daniel Martinez had won Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) defensive player of the week after starting the season with 16 saves, 2 shutouts and a GAA of 0.75.
After both teams exchanged shots on goal through the first 15 minutes the first goal of the game finally came through for HLGU’s Pedro Ferreira in minute 18 to give them an early 1-0 lead. In minute 26 the Cougars answered with the equalizer from junior Mark Vitaliy Hul, his 2nd of the season. Just 4 minutes after the game tying goal redshirt senior Jaedan Aguilera scored his 2nd goal of the season for what would eventually be the game winning goal thanks to an assist from junior Yael Diaz.
A 2-1 first half would be all the scoring of the game following a strong defensive performance from goalkeeper Daniel Martinez to keep the score the same for the remainder of the game. Cougars win 2-1 and improve to 3-2 which ties last season’s win total.
Game 2: Saint Xavier- 2 Roosevelt University- 1
On Saturday, Sept. 13, SXU faced the Roosevelt University Lakers for game two of the homestand. Going into the game the Cougars were looking to hand the Lakers their first loss of the season as they were 2-0-1 prior to the game.
After a strong defensive performance last game goalkeeper Daniel Martinez continued where he left off, this time making two crucial saves in the first 5 minutes of the game that kept Roosevelt University off the scoreboard. Despite his two excellent saves, in the 12th minute the Lakers were able to find the net to score the first goal of the game and put themselves ahead of the Cougars. The next 20 minutes would be silent from both sides as both teams struggled to connect with the net. However after many missed attempts the cougars tied the game up in minute 37 thanks to fifth-year midfielder Saul Camacho’s first goal of the season with the assist from junior Irving Moreno.
Early in the second half SXU was awarded a penalty however the Lakers goalkeeper was able to save it to keep the score leveled. In minute 65 the Cougars were awarded another penalty kick but this time Jaeden Aguilera was able to get it through the goalkeeper for his 3rd goal of the season to put the Cougars on top 2-1. After the goal SXU’s defense stood strong and kept Roosevelt University’s offense quiet for the remainder of the game. In the final seconds of the game Daniel Martinez was able to save a header to give them the win and improve to 4-2.
Game 3: Saint Xavier- 3 Purdue University NW- 2
In the third and final game of the homestand the Cougars hosted Purdue University Northwest. After another great defensive performance week Daniel Martinez earned his 2nd consecutive CCAC defensive player of the week accolade. He totalled 12 saves, with a .857 save percentage all while helping the Cougars go 2-0 in the week.
After getting two shots blocked early by Daniel Martinez, in minute 8 Purdue Northwest would finally get one past him to take an early lead over SXU but it would not last long as junior Mark Vitaliy Hul connected with the net for his 3rd goal of the season thanks to an assist from Jaeden Aguilera in the 10th minute. The next couple of minutes would be dominated by both teams’ defenses up until minute 29 when Jaeden Aguilera gave the cougars the lead with his 4th goal of the season and the assists from Yael Diaz.
Early in the second half sophomore Diego Garica gave SXU some breathing with his 2nd goal of the season to put them up top 3-1. In minute 52 PNW cut the deficit to one after a successful penalty kick. Thanks to a strong defense showing by SXU’s defense and a late missed penalty kick the Cougars held their ground and kept Purdue University Northwest off the scoreboard to give them their 3rd straight win to improve to 5-2.
After a great homestand and 5-2 record SXU stands in 2nd place in the CCAC. They head to Huntington Ind. to face Huntington University on Saturday Sept. 20, at 5:00 pm as they look to keep their momentum and extend their win streak to 4 games.