Decorated Senior Class to Depart Men's Soccer Program

CINCINNATI – Xavier men's soccer will recognize its six-member senior class before Saturday's match against Seton Hall at 7 p.m. ET.

That group includes: Josh Grant, Matt Vasquenza, Cory Brown, Matt Nance, Cam Taylor and Ian Vicars.

GoXavier.com caught up with each of the Xavier graduates to-be and talked to them about what they've accomplished during their time on campus.

A DECORATED BUNCH

• Since 2014, the Musketeer seniors have compiled a four-year record of 44-24-8 (.632) and contributed to several signature moments for the program.
• As freshmen, the group led XU to a program record 15 wins and a berth in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. Along the way, XU set program records for shutouts and goals against average while knocking off Monmouth at home in the first-ever NCAA Tournament game at XU Soccer Complex. The Musketeers then went to Bloomington and defeated No. 5 Indiana, 2-1, to reach the second weekend.
• In 2015, the group helped guide Xavier to its third top-10 national ranking and landmark wins against No. 1 Creighton and No. 2 Notre Dame on the road. XU is widely recognized as the only program to ever accomplish the feat.
• The men's soccer team has won at least eight matches in all four seasons this year's senior class has been on the team.
• The group graduates unbeaten against crosstown rival Cincinnati, the fifth straight graduating class to do by the men's soccer program.
• This fall, the seniors have the Musketeers in position to qualify for the BIG EAST Championships for the fifth straight season with a 9-4-2 overall record and a 4-3 mark in league play.

COACH FLEMING ON THE GROUP

CORY BROWN

A defender from Nelson, New Zealand, Cory Brown will graduate this year as one of the most decorated players in program history. A starter at center back from his first match as a freshman, Brown has made 75 career starts and been a part of 30 career shutouts.

Brown has also scored four goals and registered seven assists from the backline, racking up a number of awards throughout his career.

A multiple time All-BIG EAST selection, Brown was the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and was the 2017 preseason league defender of the year for the second straight season.

JOSH GRANT

Mason, Ohio native Josh Grant has made 60 career appearances entering Saturday's match. A key contributor in the midfield, Grant is third on the team with five assists this season and has recorded six goals and 11 assists in his XU career.

The co-president of Xavier's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Grant will graduate with a degree in marketing as a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection.

MATT VASQUENZA

A forward from East Hampton, Conn., Matt Vasquenza has been one of the team's go-to- scorers throughout his career and is currently inside the program's top-10 in points, goals and assists. Vasquenza currently has 62 points and passed Will Walker to break into the all-time points top-10 with two goals against Detroit on October 3rd.

Vasquenza has made 74 career appearances and has six goals this season, ranking second on the team.

A management and entrepreneurship major, Vasquenza will graduate as a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection with a 3.73 GPA.

CAM TAYLOR

A defender from Indianapolis, Ind., Cam Taylor has made 40 career appearances for the Musketeers including 14 starts at center back this season.

Taylor has scored eight goals in his career, while contributing three assists, and ranking second on the team with six goals this season.

He has been named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week twice this season and was the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week in mid-September after helping XU shutout then-No. 9 Georgetown at home.

IAN VICARS

A midfielder from Liverpool, England, Ian Vicars has battled through several injuries during his career while making 21 total appearances.

As a redshirt sophomore, he made 16 appearances and scored his first career goal, the game-winner against UC in the Crosstown Derby, and also added his first career assist on Senior Night in 2015 against Seton Hall.

MATT NANCE

A defender from Washington, Mich., Matt Nance has made 52 career appearances in a Xavier uniform, scoring three goals and recording seven assists.

A full-time starter in the 2015 and 2016, Nance has missed the entire fall recovering from an injury after earning All-BIG EAST Second Team honors as a junior.

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