Men's Soccer Falls at No. 4 Maryland to Wrap Up Preseason

CINCINNATI – Xavier men's soccer fell 3-1 at No. 4 Maryland, posting a strong effort in its final preseason tuneup on Saturday at Ludwig Field.

Maryland jumped ahead early, taking a 2-0 lead into the half, and held off Xavier late after a Jalen Brown score in the 63rd minute.

XU took a 3-2 edge in corners, but Maryland outshot the Musketeers 14-5 overall.

Maryland – NCAA Champions in 2005 and 2008 – was ranked fourth in the NSCAA preseason poll and is expected to be one of the top teams in college soccer in 2016. This fall, the Terrapins will be going for their fifth straight league tournament title and a 16th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

HOW THEY SCORED

· 63' | Jalen Brown placed a ball in the back of the net from about 20 yards, taking the score unassisted.

UP NEXT

· The Musketeers open up the regular season on Friday, August 26, hosting Evansville at XU Soccer Complex. First touch is set for 7 p.m. ET.

QUOTABLE

· "Maryland scored in 19th minute when we lost a cross in the sun, and then there was a defensive breakdown with just over a minute left in the first half to make it 2-0. We went right after them and put them on their toes in the second half. We made it 2-1 and controlled most of the beginning of the second half. Late in the game, we had a breakdown on a corner kick and allowed a restart goal with two minutes left. Xavier had four or five point-blank chances, where Maryland had to make plays. Jalen's goal was a very good goal. Overall, I thought Majed Osman and Matt Vasquenza had very good showings as well." – Andy Fleming

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST

· Xavier men's soccer has reached the NCAA Tournament in four of the last six seasons and is poised for another strong run in 2016.
· The Musketeers finished 2015 at 12-6-1 overall, marking a sixth straight season with at least 10 wins – one of just 12 programs that can claim the feat.
· Last fall also marked Xavier's third straight finish in the top-four of the BIG EAST.
· XU was ranked in the nation's top-10 by the NSCAA for the third time in four years, while knocking of the national No. 1 (Creighton) and No. 2 (Notre Dame) on the road last season. The Musketeers are widely believed to be the first program to ever knock off both a No. 1 and a No. 2 on the road in the same season.

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