The Saint Xavier University’s men’s soccer team is struggling right now to find a win… and the back of the net.
On Saturday, after an hour and half delay because of weather, men’s soccer took on the University of Northwestern Ohio for their home opener at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field.
The Cougars continued to struggle mightily on offense, as they dropped this one 4-0 to The Racers. They were held to three shots in the game and two on goal.
Sophomore midfielder Jure Spiller scored two early goals for the Racers off of free kicks in minutes No. 13 and 22. Peguy Ngatcha, a freshman forward, put the game out of reach in the 65th minute when he took advantage of a rebound from another shot that hit the post. The Racers put seven shots on goal against the Cougars.
Saint Xavier University was led by junior forward Lorenzo Savino and junior midfielder Tom Lojek, who each had a shot on goal for the Cougars. Junior goalkeeper AJ Pfatschbacher had three saves for Saint Xavier in his third start of the season.
Last Wednesday, the Cougars traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich., to take on Aquinas College. The result was not what the team wanted at all, as they lost 4-0 and surrendered three goals in the first 25 minutes of the game.
The Saints opened up scoring in minute No. 10, when senior midfielder Jonathan Spencer sent one into the back of the net. He beat starting keeper Pfatschbacher again in the minute No. 25 of play after his teammate, sophomore forward Aldony Mendez, put one in the back of the net during minute No. 21 of action.
The Cougars did get one moral victory, as they outshot the Saints 14-13, but Aquinas College did have more shots on goal at 9 with Saint Xavier only posting 6.
The Cougars were also led in this game by Lorenzo Savino, who had two shots on goal and five for the game. Pfatschbacher had three saves in his fourth start of the season.
The team is not only looking for their first win but for some offense. They have recorded just one goal in four contests while their four opponents so far have scored a combined 17 goals.
The men’s soccer team will compete at home again on September 18 against Cornerstone University at Deaton R. Memorial Field on the Saint Xavier University campus in Chicago. The team encourages you to come out and support them as they try to push through their struggles and find some early season success.
Damone Griffin
Copy Editor