Midfielder Neida Ocampo dribbling the ball SXU Athletics
Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana Northwest (0-1) L
The Saint Xavier University’ women’s soccer team saw themselves matched up in a tight contest going up against Indiana Northwest on Fri. Sept. 20 at the Sparta Center in Crown Point Indiana.
SXU came up short in their CCAC opener, falling 0-1 on the night. IUN opening goal came in the 36th minute from back to back corners. In the four games amongst these teams, it was the first time that SXU had lost, winning their previous three in a commanding fashion.
Junior midfielder Veronica Davilla had a chance to equalize the game at the 41th minute mark but the opportunity was saved. She had another moment two minutes later but the shot went over the crossbar.
The Cougars created openings in the second half, but could not get the goal to tie the match to take a point. They had a total of 11 shot attempts with five on target.
Sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Dybass made three saves in the first half. Fifth-year goalkeeper Eden Suda made a start in the second half and collected two saves
Fifth-year defender/midfielder Neida Ocampo had a team high three shots with two on goal in her statline.
Davilla and junior midfielder Hope Lewis each registered three shots with one trying to find the back of the net.
Davilla, junior midfielder Henry Hailey, senior forward Louisa Schreiber, Ocampo, Hope, junior midfielder Vicki Ferrer, and redshirt junior defender Isabel Guzman played the full game for the Cougars.
SXU’s next battle will take place at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field on Tues. Sept. 24 when they meet face to face with Viterbo University. This is their second matchup between these two programs in history. In last year’s match both teams ended in a 2-2 stalemate. Kickoff is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.
The Cougars are looking to play better as they kick start a new conference season after being eliminated in CCAC semifinals last November by Saint Ambrose.
Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana Northwest (0-0) Draw
SXU’s men’s soccer team started off their CCAC campaign facing off Against IUN in Crown Point Indiana on Fri. Sept. 20.
In 90 minutes of action both teams could not break the deadlock and ended in a 0-0 draw.
During last year’s game, the Cougars won a 3-2 thriller at Deaton field but could not repeat the performance.
The Cougars started the game strong in the first 11 minutes with junior midfielder Jessie Cardiel having one shot saved by the keeper and the other being stopped by the Redhawks defense.
SXU created chances to score but could not capitalize. They ended the game with 13 shots and 7 on mark. It’s clear that playmaking is not a problem but the final touch to score goals. The team has struggled, conceding 13 goals, and scoring two at the time of writing.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Joel Estrada finished the game with three saves and kept his first clean sheet of the season.
Senior defender Valente Lara Jr had two shots on goal along with junior midfielder Omar Aparicio. Freshman forward Cristian Morales completed the game with two shots and one going to the goal.
Estrada, Cardiel, Lara Jr, and senior forward Pablo Guerrero all played 90 minutes and senior midfielder Francisco Espinoza played 86.
It’s clear that playmaking is not a problem but rather the final touch to score goals. The team has struggled, conceding 13 goals, and scoring two at the time of writing, so the team is looking to improve in both departments to have a strong conference season and make a deep run. In last year’s run, they only made it to the quarterfinals and were defeated by Trinity Christian College.
SXU will also take on Viterbo University on Tues. Sept. 24 at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field. They have not defeated Viterbo in their last two encounters so they are looking to break that record. Kickoff is scheduled to start at 7:30.