Women's Soccer Announces Fall Schedule

07.06.17 | Women's Soccer

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Musketeers face off with six 2016 NCAA Tournament qualifiers

By: Hayley Schletker, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Xavier women's soccer head coach Nate Lie has announced the fall 2017 schedule. The Musketeers take on a 19-game slate, featuring six 2016 NCAA Tournament participants. The season officially gets underway on August 18 in the UNC Nike Classic in North Carolina.

SCHEDULE NOTES

Prior to the regular season, Xavier will travel to Bowling Green for an exhibition match on Tuesday, August 8 at 5:00 p.m.
Xavier plays a pair of first-time opponents, Duke, in the UNC Nike Classic in Cary, N.C. as well as Kent State for the first time in program history.
After playing the opening weekend on the road, nine of Xavier's next 10 games will be at home, including tilts with ACC foe Pittsburgh, Ohio, NKU and Dayton. The home match with UD marks the first time the Musketeers have hosted the Flyers in an official contest since 2010.
Xavier's lone road trip in the month of September will be to Pittsburgh to face Duquesne.
In non-conference play, Xavier faces teams from six conferences, including three MAC squads and two teams from both the ACC and the A10.
The Musketeers are at home for the first two conference matches, Creighton and Providence, and will also host DePaul and Seton Hall in October.
In BIG EAST play, Xavier travels to 2016 national semifinalist Georgetown, as well as Marquette, which earned an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. XU is also on the road for matches with Villanova, Butler and St. John's.
In all, Xavier faces six NCAA Tournament teams from 2016, including Duke, NKU, Kent State and Dayton as well BIG EAST foes Georgetown and Marquette.

NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS

DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Durham, N.C. | ACC
Sunday, August 20 - 1:00 p.m.
WakeMed Soccer Park - Cary, N.C.

Duke finished the 2016 season 15-5-3 overall and 7-2-1 in ACC play.
The Blue Devils earned an at-large bid to the 2016 NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed, advancing the the quarterfinals where the Blue Devils fell to eventual national runners-up, West Virginia.
Duke finished last season ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA top 25 and had three players named NSCAA All-Region, including Ella Stevens, who returns for her junior season in 2017.
The match-up, also part of the UNC Nike Classic in Cary, N.C. is the first in the series between Xavier and Duke.

BALL STATE CARDINALS
Muncie, Ind. | MAC

Friday, August 25 - 4:30 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Ball State finished 2016 14-3-3 overall and 9-1-1 in MAC play after falling to Northern Illinois on PKs in MAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
Last season in Muncie, Xavier held the Cardinals scoreless for over 80 minutes before BSU took a 1-0 lead. Xavier responded with a goal from Tori Doss in the 83rd minute to the tie the score, 1-1. The draw remained through double-overtime.
Last season's 1-1 draw set the all-time series at 1-3-2, with the first match-up dating back to 2003.

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
Pittsburgh, Pa. | ACC
Sunday, August 27 - 1:00 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Pitt finished the 2016 season 2-15-1 overall and 1-9-0 in ACC play.
Last season in Pittsburgh, the Panthers took a 2-0 lead over the Musketeers in the first half. Xavier responded in the second half with a tally from Samantha Dewey to climb within one, but the Musketeers were unable to score the equalizer, falling 2-1.
Last season's loss moved the Musketeers to 0-3 all time against Pitt.
The 2017 match-up marks the first time the Musketeers have hosted Pitt since 2009.

EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS
Richmond, Ky. | OVC
Friday, September 1 - 7:00 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Eastern Kentucky finished 2016 with a record of 13-5-1 overall and 8-2-0 in OVC play.
The Colonels advanced to the OVC Tournament Final where EKU fell 1-0 to Southern Illinois.
Last season the Musketeers traveled to Richmond where Xavier took home the 2-0 win. Tori Doss scored in the game winner in the 18th minute and Courtney Lankford added the insurance goal in the 69th minute.
With last season's win, Xavier moved to 5-1-1 all time against the Colonels.

OHIO BOBCATS
Athens, Ohio | MAC

Sunday, September 3 - 1:00 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Ohio finished 2016 with a record of 5-12-1, including going 3-8-0 in MAC play.
Last season, the Musketeers took the 2-1 win over the Bobcats in Athens. Samantha Dewey scored in the 28th minute to give XU a 1-0 lead going into the half. Ohio scored an equalizer shortly after the break but Tori Doss scored the game-winner in the 76th minute for the win.
With last season's win, Xavier leads the all-time series with the Bobcats 6-2-0.

DUQUESNE DUKES
Pittsburgh, Pa. | A10
Friday, September 8 - 7:00 p.m.
Rooney Field - Pittsburgh, Pa.

Duquesne finished 2016 with an overall record of 11-6-3 and a record of 7-2-1 in Atlantic 10 play.
The Dukes closed out the 2016 season in the A10 Tournament quarterfinals, falling to George Washington.
Last season against Xavier, the two teams squared off at UC's Gettler Stadium where the Dukes jumped out to a quick lead with a goal in the sixth minute. An insurance goal for DU in the 36 minute set the final score at 2-0 in favor of Duquesne.
After last season's loss, Xavier lead the all-time series with DU, 10-6-1.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY NORSE
Highland Heights, Ky. | Horizon
Sunday, September 10 - 7:00 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Northern Kentucky finished 2016 with a record of 13-7-1 overall and 6-2-1 in Horizon League play.
The Norse won Horizon League Championship to earn the school's first berth to an NCAA Tournament since moving to Division I.
In NCAA Tournament play, NKU fell to eventual College Cup runners-up WVU in the NCAA Tournament First Round.
Last year, the Musketeers and the Norse faced off at NKU, the Norse took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute, holding the lead going into the halftime break. Five minutes into the second half, Kenadie Carlson scored the equalizer and in the final seconds of the match, Skylar Groth scored the game-winner to set the final score at 2-1 in favor of the Musketeers.
Xavier moved to 3-0-1 all time against the Norse with last season's win.
The Musketeers win over NKU last season mark one of two wins over eventual NCAA Tournament teams.

KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Kent, Ohio | MAC
Thursday, September 14 - 7:00
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Kent State finished 2016 with a record of 15-3-2 overall and 8-1-2 in MAC play.
The Golden Flashes beat Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship game to earn the MAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
In NCAA Tournament play, Kent State fell to Northwestern in the first round.
The match-up with the Golden Flashes marks the first time the program's will face off.

DAYTON FLYERS
Dayton, Ohio | A10
Sunday, September 17 - 6:30 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Dayton finished 2016 with a record of 9-10-3 (4-4-2 A10).
The Flyers won the A10 Tournament Championship to earn and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
UD fell to Ohio State in NCAA Tournament First Round.
Last season Xavier topped UD, 3-1, in Dayton for the program's first win over the Flyers since 2000. Ellie Eckerle scored early to put Xavier up 1-0 and Samantha Dewey made it 2-0 in the 60th minutes. The Flyers responded in the 63rd minute to cut the lead down to one, but Dewey scored her second goal of the game in the 82nd minute to secure the first win for XU at Baujan Field since 1998.
Xavier's all-time record with UD now stands at 10-25-2.
The win over Dayton was one of two wins the Musketeers had over NCAA Tournament teams last season.
The home match with UD marks the first time the Musketeers have hosted the Flyers since leaving the Atlantic 10 for the BIG EAST in 2013. The last time the Flyers played at XU in an official contest was 2010.

BIG EAST OPPONENTS

CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS
Omaha, Neb.
Sunday, September 24 - 1:00 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Creighton finished 2016 9-6-2 overall and 4-5 in BIG EAST play.
During last season's match in Omaha, the Bluejays jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening minutes of the match. The Musketeers countered in the 18th minute with a goal from Andie Kennard to cut the lead to 2-1, but Creighton would pull away, scoring again before halftime and three times in the second half in a 6-1 loss for Xavier.
Xavier leads the all-time series 4-3-0.

PROVIDENCE FRIARS
Providence, R.I.
Thursday, September 28 - 7:00 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Providence finished last season 11-7-2 overall and 5-3-1 in BIG EAST action.
The Friars earned a bid to the BIG EAST Championship, falling to St. John's in BIG EAST Quarterfinals.
In last year's match-up in Providence, the Friars took the early lead, scoring in the 12th minute and held the advantage through the break. Xavier tied it, 1-1, in the 60th minute on a goal from Samantha Dewey. The draw held through the end of regulation, forcing overtime where the Friars won on a golden goal in the 96th minute.
Xavier stands at 1-4-0 in the all-time series with PC.

VILLANOVA WILDCATS
Villanova, Pa.
Sunday, October 1 - TBA
Higgins Complex - Villanova, Pa.

Villanova finished 2016 at 4-14 overall and 2-7 in the BIG EAST.
Xavier picked up the win over the Wildcats last season at UC's Gettler Stadium after Samantha Dewey scored in the 54th minute. Toni Bizzarro and Rachel Piccus shared time in-goal for the combined shutout.
The series with the Wildcats stands at 2-2-0 all-time.

BUTLER BULLDOGS
Indianapolis, Ind.
Thursday, October 5 - 7:00 p.m.
Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl - Indianapolis, Ind.

Butler finished last season 11-7-2 (4-4-1 BIG EAST).
The Bulldogs earned a trip to the BIG EAST Championship, falling to eventual champion Georgetown in BIG EAST Quarterfinals.
In last season's match at Xavier, Butler posted a three-tally first half. Senior Rachel Piccus, who left the game in the first half with an injury, returned in the second half for her final appearance as a Musketeer. Piccus shared time on frame with Libby Grace for the second-half shutout.
Xavier stands at 7-11-2 all-time against Butler.

DEPAUL BLUE DEMONS
Chicago, Ill.
Sunday, October 8 - 1:00 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

DePaul finished 10-6-3 overall and 7-2 in BIG EAST play last season.
The Blue Demons advanced to the BIG EAST Championship Semifinals where DU fell on PKs to eventual champion Georgetown.
Last season, DePaul scored twice in the first period and three times in the second half to take the 5-0 win in Chicago.
Xavier is 0-4-0 all-time against the Blue Demons.

MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES
Milwaukee, Wis.
Saturday, October 14 - 8:00 p.m. ET
Valley Fields - Milwaukee, Wis.

Marquette finished last season 12-8-1 overall and 7-2 in BIG EAST play.
The Golden Eagles advance to the BIG EAST Championships game, falling to the Georgetown.
As the BIG EAST runner-up, Marquette earned an at-large big to the NCAA Tournament where the Golden Eagles fell to Wisconsin in NCAA First Round.
In last season's match at NKU Soccer Stadium, the Musketeers held the Golden Eagles scoreless for over 40 minutes before MU struck to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Xavier held Marquette without another tally for the remainder of the match, but was unable to score the equalizer, falling 1-0.
Xavier is 1-6-0 in the all-time series with Marquette.

SETON HALL PIRATES
South Orange, N.J.
Thursday, October 19 - 7:00 p.m.
XU Soccer Complex - Cincinnati, Ohio

Seton Hall finished last season 5-11-1 overall and 1-8 in BIG EAST play.
The Pirate's lone win in conference play came against Xavier in South Orange last season. The two teams played to a scoreless draw through 76 minutes, but an SHU tally put the Pirates ahead 1-0 and the Musketeers were unable to respond.
Last season's loss was the first in series history for the Musketeers, who stand at 2-1-1 all-time against the Pirates.

ST. JOHN'S RED STORM
Queens, N.Y.
Sunday, October 22 - 1:00 p.m.
Belson Stadium - Queens, N.Y.

St. John's finished last season 11-4-5 overall and 5-2-2 in BIG EAST play.
The Red Storm earned a berth to the BIG EAST Tournament, advancing to the semifinals where SJU fell to Marquette.
Last season in Cincinnati, the Red Storm scored three times in the second period to take a 3-0 lead into the final minute of the game. Samantha Dewey scored in the final minute of the game to set the final score at 3-1 in favor of SJU.
Xavier is 0-4-0 all time against the Red Storm.

GEORGETOWN HOYAS
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, October 26 - 2:00 p.m.
Shaw Field - Washington, D.C.

Georgetown finished 20-3-3 overall and 6-1-2 in BIG EAST regular season play.
The Hoyas defeated Marquette in the BIG EAST Tournament Championship game to earn an automatic bid the NCAA Tournament.
In the tournament, Georgetown defeated St. Francis (Pa.), Rutgers, Virginia and Santa Clara to advance to the NCAA College Cup. The Hoyas fell to eventual national champion Southern Cal, 1-0, in the National Semifinal.
Last season at NKU Soccer Stadium, the No. 6 rated Hoyas tallied once in each half to secure the 2-0 win over the Musketeers.
Xavier is 0-4-0 all time against Georgetown.

POST SEASON INFO

The top six teams in BIG EAST play will earn a berth to the BIG EAST Championship, set to begin on Sunday, October 29 at campus sites. Quarterfinals winners will advance to the semifinals on November 2. The championship game will be held on Sunday, November 5.
The first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament is set for Nov. 10-12 at campus sites. The 2017 Women's College Cup will be held December 1 and 3 in Orlando.