Jonaitis seen kicking the ball against St. Francis SXU Athletics
The Saint Xavier University women’s soccer team finished their regular season against Trinity Christian College on Saturday, October 28 at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field.
After 90 minutes of play and both teams looking to win the game, it ended in a 1-1 stalemate to enter the CCAC Tournament.
SXU vs. Trinity Christian College: 1-1 (T)
The goals were scored by freshman forward Alex Jonaitis in the 30 minute of action, assisted by Junior midfielder Louisa Schreiber. Trinity tied the game at the 44 minute on a freekick after a scrabble in the box before the halftime whistle.
Jonaitis received a pass from Scheriber and put her shot in the back of the net to give SXU the advantage.
Schreiber recorded a school record of 12 shots in the match against Trinity Christian. She also recorded seven shots on goal, but was unlucky in getting any past the Trolls’ goalie.
Jonatis also had four attempts,three going to goal, but she could not find her second of the afternoon to get the Cougars ahead on the scoreboard.
Sophomore midfielder Veronica Davilla had to attempt to find a goal with 45 minutes of play, but she could not get is past the keeper.
As a team, SXU had 20 shots with 15 of them on goal, however, no Cougar could break through to give themselves a lead.
Freshman goalkeeper Natalie Dybas had three saves in this match, her record in the net is now 5-2-4. This is the most ties for a goalkeeper in the program since the 2001 season in which Hall of Fame goalkeeper Kelly Rank had a 9-5-5 record.
CCAC Quarterfinals, SXU vs. University of St. Francis: 1-0 (W)
Saint Xavier advanced to the CCAC quarterfinals, which started this past Friday, November 3. The Cougars faced off against University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL., winning 1-0 to complete an upset and move on to the semifinals.
With this win, it is SXU’s first time since 2008 they advanced past the quarterfinals, and that year they won the CCAC championship. The Cougars look to have a repeat of the 2008 tournament and reclaim the CCAC trophy.
St. Francis were playing well in the first half but the Cougars did a good job of defending and keeping their net at zero. While Saint Xavier did record some shots on goal in the first half, they could not find the opener.
Dybas had a big performance, had another clean sheet this season, recording six saves to keep SXU in the game.
The lone goal came from Jonaitis just 28 seconds into the second half to give them the lead. This was the freshman’s seventh goal of the season..
An impressive stat from this game is that this was Jonaitis’ fourth game winner of the season. It is the most for Saint Xavier since former player Nancy Schueth achieved it back in the 2010 season.
After the goal, St. Francis started to gain momentum and had five shots on goal in 20 minutes but Dybas saved three of their chances
The Cougars had an opportunity in the 67 minute via a corner but Junior forward Esmeralda Diaz’s header attempt just went over the crossbar.
St. Francis kept going and were looking for the equalizer but SXU defended well in the clutch to grind out a victory and get to the semifinals.
SXU recorded six shots, five on goal.
Davilla and senior defender/midfielder Neida Ocampo each had one shot on target to their name in the game.
The Cougars top scorer is Schreiber with nine goals in 16 appearances and right behind her is Jonaitis with seven goals and six assists. Jonaits leads the team in goals and assists, totaling 20 points. Scheriber is second with 19 points.
Jonaitis has come up big for her team in the last two games and is looking to contribute for her team in another huge game.
The Cougar’s next encounter will be a CACC tournament semifinals matchups against St. Ambrose on Tuesday, November 7. SXU is looking for a big win to punch their ticket to the CCAC championship. Location and time of the game is to be determined.