Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Wright State
Shorthanded Xavier Defeated By Wright State, 1-0
09.11.10 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 11, 2010
Box Score
CINCINNATI - The Xavier men's soccer team suffered yet another close defeat, this time dropping a highly contested game, 1-0, to Wright State Saturday night at the Xavier Soccer Complex.
Wright State scored the lone goal of the game in the 64th minute of the match when Seth Petrey scored controlled a free ball from 12 yards and drove it to the far left post. The Musketeers (0-2-1) had two great chances early in the game with two hard shots on goal by Jon Kankam being deflected away by the Raiders' goalkeeper.
Xavier would have other opportunities to score late in the game, but Wright State was able to secure the win in the final minutes by clearing the ball past midfield and forcing the Musketeers to reorganize their attacked.
"I think the bottom line statement tonight is that I'm very proud of our team, I don't think they could have done better than they did," head coach Andy Fleming said. "To allow two goals in three games and not have a win that's uncommon. We are just snake bitten right now and we have played a team that has yet to lose a game."
Wright State's goal was created by a free kick at midfield that was played into the box and came free. Petrey, who entered the game as substitute, settled the loose ball and played a low line-drive shot across the box past the outstretched glove of goalkeeper Andre Bezerra.
Xavier's early chances were courtesy Kankam who started his first collegiate game. In the 8th minute Kankam found space after two nice passes from El-Hadji Dieng and Nick Hanglund, but a charging goalkeeper deflected his shot from the right side of the box. Later in the half Kankam again was denied by the Raider's keeper.
It's been a tough opening stretch for the Musketeers whose opponent's combined record is 9-0-2. Additionally, the Musketeers have been without key components to both their offense and defense for a great of their first three games.
"It's a demanding start to the schedule, especially given the circumstances, but a lot of positives tonight and I'm very proud of our guys," Fleming said. "We had seven starters out tonight with injuries, had only 15 available guys and had two guys play 90 minutes who haven't played all year."
The Raiders outshot the Musketeers 14-12 on the night, but Xavier had the upper hand with five shots on goal to two by Wright State. Dieng had two shots on goal for the second consecutive game and has six shots total on the season.
Bezerra took the loss for the Musketeers in his eighth career start. Corey Wisenhunt stopped five shots for the Raiders, and recorded his third shutout of the season.
Xavier heads back on the road Friday as they travel to face Evansville at 8:30 p.m. EST Friday night. The Musketeers return home to face Lipscomb at 7:00 p.m., September 24 at the Xavier Soccer Complex.
