Xavier University
3-5-1
Cincinnati
5-1-2
Xavier Women's Soccer Falls to Cincinnati, 2-0
09.14.14 | Women's Soccer
CINCINNATI - The Xavier women's soccer team fell to cross-town rival Cincinnati, 2-0, on Sunday. The Musketeers move to 3-5-1 on the season.
"Today was very disappointing because we had made tremendous progress over the last three weeks and to suffer a setback like this at Cincinnati is hard to swallow," said Xavier head coach Woody Sherwood. "On the day they played as well as any team we've seen this season. Giving up a penalty kick in the first couple minutes is a tough way to start but we didn't respond the way we needed to."
Cincinnati struck first, scoring less than two minutes into the match on a Jae Atkinson penalty kick to go up, 1-0. The Bearcats continued to attack offensively, taking 14 shots before halftime. The Xavier defense, led by senior goalkeeper Katie Markesbery's five saves in the first period, held Cincinnati scoreless for the rest of the first half.
The Musketeers created an offensive opportunity late in the first for freshman Carly Alfano, but the shot was blocked, sending the Musketeers to the break with a 1-0 deficit.
The Cincinnati offense continued to press in the second half, taking 17 shots in the final period, but the Musketeers prevented the Bearcats from expanding the lead until the 76 minute mark. On a throw-in from the Bearcats' Natalie Coury, Katy Couperus attacked near the post and crossed the ball to Taylor Jackson who scored to put Cincinnati up 2-0.
Markesbery finished with eight saves to bring her career total to 418, two shy of tying the Xavier all-time record currently held by Kelcey Ervick (1990-93).
Xavier returns to the field when it hosts Morehead State on Friday Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Live stats will be available at GoXavier.com.
Team Stats
ATKINSON, Jae (2)
CIN ATKINSON, Jae PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 2 for season.
1:53
JACKSON, Taylor (2)
Assisted By: COUPERUS, Katy , COURY, Natalie
26 throw to 20, 20 attacked near post an
76:33
