Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Butler
Xavier Drops Home Opener to Butler, 1-0
09.04.10 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 4, 2010
CINCINNATI - Despite a physical and spirited effort the Xavier men's soccer team fell to Butler, 1-0 in its 2010 home opener at the Xavier Soccer Complex Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (2-0) capitalized on just one of many scoring chances midway through the second half to take the lead, but the Musketeers (0-1-1) fought back and nearly tied the game in the final minute of regulation.
"Although Butler won the game and had pretty good command I felt we did some nice things tonight," head coach Andy Fleming said. "I am very happy with some of the opportunities that we created late and how we forced them to defend us and hang on to the lead."
Butler's only goal of the match came in the 60th minute as defender Jared Isenthal played a crossing shot to the right post from 40 yards out, which was tucked away just inside the post by midfielder Kyle Pateros.
Xavier turned up the tempo offensively after the score putting the majority of their shots on goal after. Senior forward El-Hadji Dieng narrowly missed putting two free kicks into the net from just outside the box late and a late foul in the box cost the Musketeers a tying goal.
"We made a decision to change things after Butler's score and go for goal with about 12 minutes left," Fleming said. "I think overall with Butler's prestige and being a veteran team, we wanted to get through the half tied and be more conservative. After they scored my plan was to change things up and be more aggressive."
It was another busy game for sophomore goalkeeper Justin Marshall, who stopped all but one of the Bulldogs' 12 shots on goal. Marshall's most impressive saves came on a series of headers early in the second half that kept the game scoreless. Marshall has now stopped 17 shots to one goal this season as the net minder for the Musketeers.
"He is a sophomore now and we are expecting him to be a very good goalkeeper and he showed that tonight," Fleming said.
Despite the setback Fleming said that he was happy with his team's strength and endeavor tonight as they try to rebuild the program in his first season.
"I am very proud of my team. I thought they showed a lot of character, personality and our fight and commitment to one another despite the injuries and circumstances," Fleming said. "The box score might tell a different story but I think we made some huge strides as far as culture and commitment regarding our expectations."
The Musketeers were outshot 24-5 by Butler, who also controlled the corner kicks 6-1. The game's physical played resulted in a combined 28 fouls and four yellow cards being issued in the match.
Pateros's goal for the Bulldogs was his second of the year and it was the second assist for Jared Istenhal. The Bulldogs goalkeeper Fabian Knopfler recorded three saves on the evening.
The Musketeers return to action at 7 p.m. next Saturday as they play host to Wright State at the Xavier Soccer Complex.
