Xavier Women's Soccer Plays NKU to 1-1 Draw

Tuesday, September 9

Highland Heights, Ky.

7:00 PM

Xavier University

3-3-1

Northern Kentucky

2-1-2

OT 3

OT 4

Xavier University

Northern Kentucky

Senior goalkeeper Katie Markesbery collected five saves to preserve the 1-1 tie.

09.09.14 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

| Box Score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY. - The Xavier women's soccer team played Northern Kentucky to a 1-1 draw in a double overtime match tonight. The Musketeers had several opportunities in regulation and in overtime to secure the win but were unable to connect, sending Xavier's record to 3-3-1 on the season.

"That was another very good college soccer match this evening, the best we've played all season," said head coach Woody Sherwood. "We have begun generating chances that we weren't getting earlier in the year. It was unfortunate that we didn't win the match. Give NKU credit. That's the best team they've had in a while."

The Xavier offense, led by sophomore forward Tori Doss, came out of the gate attacking. After the Musketeers' first two shots failed to score, sophomore forward Ellie Eckerle created an opportunity on a pass to junior midfielder Catherine Allon. Allon's cross set up Doss for the header to give Xavier the lead, 1-0, at the 14' mark, Doss' third goal on the season.

NKU answered quickly, scoring the equalizer when a shot from Norse forward Kelsey Laumann found the lower right corner of the goal off a pass from Sami Rutowski at the 18' mark.

Xavier continued attacking to try to retake the lead before halftime, taking nine shots total in the first period, but was unable to gain the advantage, sending the teams into the break in a 1-1 draw.

In the second period, the Norse continued to pressure offensively, taking seven shots but Xavier's defense held off NKU. The Musketeers created several opportunities to take the lead, but were unable to connect before time expired in the second period, sending the match into extra time.

In extra time the defensive pressure turned up on both sides, preventing either team from taking a shot in the first 10 minute overtime period, sending the game into double overtime.

In the second overtime, NKU attacked first with a shot from Rutowski at 102', but a critical save from senior goalkeeper Katie Markesbery prevented the Norse from taking the sudden-death victory.

Freshman defender Carly Alfano created Xavier's first opportunity of extra time, sending a header toward the goal, but a save by Norse goalkeeper Brook Schocker prevented the Musketeers from scoring.

NKU quickly countered with another shot from Rutowski, but Markesbery again collected the save to prevent the game-winner from scoring. She finished the night with five saves.

In the final moments before the game was called a draw, Xavier amped up its offensive attack, taking four shots in the last three minutes of the game, but two late saves by NKU's Schocker preserved the 1-1 tie as time expired.

Xavier returns to the field Thursday Sept.11 when perennial power Pepperdine pays a visit to Cincinnati. The Waves and Musketeers kick off at 7:00 p.m. Live stats will be available from GoXavier.com.