Seniors Star for Men's Soccer in 3-0 Win Over Seton Hall

Saturday, October 31

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 P.M.

Xavier University

11-4-1, 5-2-1

Seton Hall

0-14-1, 0-8-0

Seton Hall

Xavier

Seniors Star for Men's Soccer in 3-0 Win Over Seton Hall

10.31.15 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Latham, Ridsdale record multi-point matches in final regular season appearance at Xavier Soccer Complex

By: Brendan Bergen, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Xavier men's soccer celebrated its decorated seven-man senior class prior to kick on Saturday night and the veterans brought home a 50th win, leading the Musketeers past Seton Hall, 3-0, at Xavier Soccer Complex.

Calum Latham scored his third goal of the season in the fourth minute, while classmate Alex Ridsdale added two late to help Xavier – coming off a road win at No. 1 Creighton on Wednesday – avoid a letdown at home and extend its unbeaten streak to five matches.

"I think we did what we had to do to win," said head coach Andy Fleming. "You always want to get the upper-hand by scoring early, but I was nervous for a while because I don't think we played that inspired throughout the first half after we did score. I do think we responded pretty well in the final 30 minutes. I was happy to see some seniors get on the board – all three goals were scored by seniors – and we were able to get all of them into the game and out of here healthy while finishing the regular season home slate strong."

With the result, Xavier (11-4-1, 5-2-1 BIG EAST) guarantees itself either the third or fourth seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament and another home match against a TBD opponent on Sunday, Nov. 8.

The final seeding will depend on the outcome of this Thursday's regular season finale at Butler, which currently holds the fourth spot in the league and could overtake the Musketeers with a home win. It will be the third straight season the two programs finish out the regular season against each other.

As for Senior Night, it started fittingly with a senior connection when a Chris Moore throw-in found Latham in the fourth minute. Latham received it cleanly and one-touched the pass before sending a rocket to the upper left corner to put Xavier up, 1-0. It was the first assist of the season for Moore, the 11th Xavier player to provide one in 2015.

"It's your last home game, pretty emotional," said Latham. "I'm just glad we got the first goal and settled in."

The Musketeers would have to wait until the 70th for another tally, but got it from Ridsdale off a low-lining cross from Latham. Ridsdale slid into the pass, sending it past the keeper and erasing a seven-match individual scoring drought.

Not content with one, Ridsdale would find the net again three minutes later – making it 3-0 off a rebound. The sequence began on an Ian Vicars' attack, but it was saved nicely by the Seton Hall keeper before Ridsdale popped in the loose ball from right in front of the net. The goals were his sixth and seventh of the season, moving him back into the team lead in scoring.

Senior Vince Shaw got the starting nod in net, earning the win and playing the first 15 minutes before giving way to Dallas Jaye – who made one save over the final 75 minutes to help Xavier keep its ninth shutout.

The Musketeers outshot Seton Hall 15-7, but only allowed the Pirates to put one shot on frame while taking 10 themselves. XU also took an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks, dominating possession for most of the match.

The win was the 50th for the 2015 senior class (Latham, Ridsdale, Shaw, Jaye, Moore, Rhodes Moore and Kyle Martin) moving the group one away from tying last year's class for the most wins in Xavier men's soccer history.

Seton Hall, which had just taken No. 7 Georgetown to overtime on Wednesday, fell to 0-14-1 overall and 0-8 in the BIG EAST.

The Musketeers return to the pitch on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Butler to close out the regular season. The winner of the match will be the third-seed in the upcoming conference tournament, while the loser will be the fourth seed. First touch is set for 7 p.m.