The Saint Xavier Cougars entered the 2018 NAIA Men’s Soccer season with a lot to prove.
The Cougars finished last year with a 10-8 record, ending the year with a disappointing 0-1 defeat to St. Francis (IL) in the quarterfinals of the CCAC Tournament.
SXU started the 2018 season with a game against the #16 ranked Rio Grande University at Deaton Field. The Cougars played their best, but they could not overcome one of the best teams in the country and lost 0-3.
The Cougars then travelled to Belleville, Illinois to play Lindenwood University-Belleville. SXU could not get much offense going and lost 1-3.
They finally put a notch in the win column when they defeated Campbellsville University 1-0 to close August.
SXU started September by traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan to play Cornerstone University. The Cougars won that game 2-1 after a very strong first half showing.
Saint Xavier continued their road trip by traveling to Converse, Indiana to play Indiana Wesleyan. The Cougars won that game 1-0.
SXU then travelled back to Deaton Field to start a four game homestand.
SXU kicked off the homestand with a heartbreaking 1-2 loss in double overtime to the University of Northwestern Ohio, but rebounded with a 2-1 victory over Aquinas College.
SXU then played Holy Cross College and lost 0-2.
They finished their homestand with a 2-1 victory over St. Francis (IL).
After a three day rest, the Cougars travelled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to play #13 ranked Cardinal Stritch University. SXU kept the game close and even sent it to double overtime, but lost 1-2 after a last minute goal from Cardinal Stritch.
The Cougars looked to rebound against Judson University, but lost 2-5 in a game that Judson completely dominated.
SXU then travelled to Hammond, Indiana to play Calumet College. The game was tied going into overtime, but SXU midfielder Elias Leyva scored the game winner to win the game 3-2.
The team then travelled to Arlington Heights, Illinois to play Robert Morris University. Neither team got much offense in and the game ended with a 0-0 tie.
SXU travelled back to Deaton Field to welcome #25 ranked Olivet Nazarene University to town. The Cougars tried pulling off an upset victory, but lost 1-2 after Olivet Nazarene scored a goal with 10 minutes left.
SXU looked to rebound when they traveled to Deerfield, Illinois to play Trinity International University. The Cougars defeated Trinity 3-2 in a hard fought matchup.
SXU then travelled to Davenport, Iowa to play Saint Ambrose University. Both teams were evenly matched up and the game ended with a 2-2 tie.
Saint Xavier wrapped up the season with a two game homestand against Roosevelt University and Trinity Christian College.
They defeated Roosevelt 3-0 and Trinity Christian 2-1 to wrap up the season.
Saint Xavier then started their playoff run by traveling to Arlington Heights, Illinois to play Robert Morris University.
They won the game 3-2 and will continue their postseason run by playing Cardinal Stritch University on November 6th.
The Cougars had a whole lot to prove going into this year and they have certainly exceeded expectations so far.
Chris Leonchik
Sports Editor
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