SXU Cougars Huddled Up Before Game at Deaton Field SXU Cougars
With a 5-6-1 record, the Saint Xavier University (SXU) men’s soccer team have reached the most pivotal part of the regular season: conference play in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC).
Game 1 vs. Judson University (L)
To begin conference play the Cougars headed to Elgin, Ill. to take on Judson University, a team the Cougars are now 9-28-5 against all time, with their last win coming in 2019.
Just four minutes into the game, the Cougars found themselves down 1-0. In 2026 the Cougars are now 0-6-1 when their opponent scores first.
It didn’t take long for SXU to find the equalizer after a penalty kick from senior midfielder Yael Diaz. Diaz leads the team with six goals scored on the season.
After the game tying goal from Diaz both offenses were shutout for the remainder of the first half. Heading into the second half the Cougars would have needed to create more opportunities as they only completed two shots in the first half compared to the nine from Judson.
The second half started off pretty quiet with both teams being held scoreless through the first 25 minutes until Judson University took a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute.
It was ultimately all they needed as SXU was never able to find a response leading to a 2-1 loss and putting the Cougars down early in the CCAC standings.
Game 2 vs Governors State University (W)
They looked to turn the page after that loss as they headed to University Park, Ill. to face Governors State University (GSU).
The Cougar offense started off where they ended in the following game as they struggled to cash in any goals despite creating many different opportunities to do so.
As a result of missed opportunities, both teams headed to the half scoreless. SXU finished the first half with 12 shots compared to just three from GSU setting them up for a strong second half.
After countless missed opportunities in the first half the Cougars finally connected with the goal just two minutes into the second half. Redshirt junior Saul Lagunas got the scoring start with his second goal of the 2026 season, thanks to an assist by junior Eduardo Perez, his first.
Not too long after SXU doubled their lead with an assist from freshman midfielder Kajetan Mlynarski to set up junior forward Cristian Morales for his first goal of the season.
The defense was able to do their part by keeping GSU off the scoreboard resulting in a 2-0 victory for the Cougars, moving them up to fourth place in the CCAC standings.
Game 3 vs University of St. Francis (T)
To wrap up their first three game stretch in conference play the Cougars hosted the University of St. Francis.
The first half was a strong defensive showcase for both teams and they limited chances for either side keeping both teams off the scoresheet.
After a scoreless first half for both teams, St. Francis jumped in front just four minutes into the second half. The Cougars looked for the equalizer immediately but the St. Francis’ defense stood their ground and limited scoring opportunities for the Cougar offense.
In minute 78 the opportunity finally came for SXU as Dorian Mahone connected for his second goal of the year, leveling things up at one. Laguans helped set up Mahone with his second assist of the year.
After the game tying goal the Cougars tried to use that as momentum by creating multiple plays on the St. Francis side but were never able to get the go ahead goal in before the final whistle ended things at one a piece for both sides.
The Cougars finished the game with 19 shots taken (10 on goal) tied for the most during this three game stretch. So far during conference play the Cougars have racked up four goals while allowing three.
With just five games left the Cougars now sit in third place in the CCAC, out of the remaining five games, four of them will be against other CCAC opponents with the lone outlier being against the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) on Oct. 10 on the road.
Before that game though, SXU heads to Wisconsin to take on second place Viterbo University on Oct. 6.
With the season coming down to its final games, the Cougars look to go on a run that not only sets them up for a higher seed in the conference tournament but also to set them up for a deep run.
About Post Author
