Men's Soccer to Host Annual "Devin's Game" at XU Soccer Complex

Saturday, April 29

XU Soccer Complex

7:30 p.m.

Xavier University

Bradley (Devin's Game)

Men's Soccer to Host Annual "Devin's Game" at XU Soccer Complex

04.26.17 | Men's Soccer

DSAGC Website Devin's Game History Event Flyer (PDF)WCPO Feature Xavier.Edu Feature

First touch against Bradley is set for 7:30 p.m. ET

By: Brendan Bergen, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Xavier men's soccer hosts Bradley for the Sixth Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Spring Classic on Saturday, April 29 at XU Soccer Complex. First touch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Admission to the match is $5 per person with a portion of proceeds benefitting "Devin's Team" as part of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati Annual Buddy Walk. The team is named for head coach Andy Fleming's daughter, Devin, who was born with Down Syndrome in 2011.

In the last six years, Devin's Team has established itself as one of the highest-earning teams in Cincinnati and all of Ohio.

Devin's Game has become a special event in the community over the past five years, averaging over 1,000 fans and raising over $60,000 for DSAGC since 2011.

THE MATCHUP

• Xavier (2016 Record: 8-8-3, 4-4-1 BIG EAST) fell in the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals as a five seed, qualifying for the event for the fourth straight season. Following the season, rising senior Cory Brown was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year – marking a fifth straight season with a major conference award for XU. Rising senior Matt Nance also earned All-BIG EAST honors, as Derrick Otim earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. As a team, the Musketeers were again competitive against the best in the nation and earned ranked results against Virginia, Dartmouth and Creighton.
• Bradley (2016 Record: 2-15-3, 0-7-1 MVC) is coming off a down season, but has made three NCAA Tournament appearances since 2010 while consistently challenging for Miami Valley Conference Championships – last winning the league in 2013. The Braves advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2007 and have produced 15 All-Americans while making seven appearances in the tournament all-time.

ABOUT DEVIN

• Devin turns six on May 2 and attended kindergarten at Mariemont Elementary this past year. Devin loves going to the park and playing on the swings, especially pushing her friends and classmates.
• Devin also participates in swimming lessons and went to Melodic Connections Music Camp this past summer – in addition to summer tutoring at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati.
• Most importantly, she loves to yell, "Go X!" and make the X sign with her arms.

WHAT IS DSAGC?

• The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati (DSAGC) is a 501C-3 non-profit organization established in 1981 with a history of responding to the changing needs of individuals with Down syndrome.
• The DSAGC serves southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana including Hamilton, Butler, Brown, Clermont, Warren, Highland, Clinton, Adams, Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Dearborn counties. The organization's constituency is comprised of 1,300 individuals with Down syndrome of all ages, 3,000 family members and over 300 local professionals.
• The DSAGC is funded primarily through special events, such as the Buddy Walk. Other sources of revenue include donations and foundation support. The DSAGC is self-sustaining. The funds raised by the organization remain in the local community.

ALUMS IN THE PROS

• At least 20 players to have appeared in the match have gone on to play professionally, including nine former Musketeers.
• Xavier: Jalen Brown, Todd Pratzner, Nick Hagglund, Matt Walker, Will Walker, Eric Osswald, Dallas Jaye, Luke Spencer, James Queree
• Other Schools: Harrison Shipp (Notre Dame), Justin Morrow (Notre Dame), Will Trapp (Akron), Scott Caldwell (Akron), DeAndre Yedlin (Akron), Chad Barson (Akron), Bryan Gallego (Akron), Reinaldo Brenes (Akron), Aodhan Quinn (Akron), Zac Portillos (Akron), Eric Stevenson (Akron)