Ridsdale's Go-Ahead Header Sends Men's Soccer into BIG EAST Semifinals

Sunday, November 8

Cincinnati, Ohio

4 P.M.

Xavier University

12-5-1, 5-3-1

No. 5 DePaul (Quarterfinals)

5-13-1, 4-4-1

DePaul

Xavier

Photo by: Bob Stevens

Ridsdale's Go-Ahead Header Sends Men's Soccer into BIG EAST Semifinals

11.08.15 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Musketeers overcome early Blue Demon score to post 2-1 win, return to conference semifinal for second straight season

By: Brendan Bergen, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Alex Ridsdale connected for the go-ahead header in the 48th minute to send fourth-seeded Xavier men's soccer back to the BIG EAST semifinals with a 2-1 win over visiting DePaul on Sunday.

The Musketeers improved to 12-5-1 overall by beating the fifth-seeded Blue Demons for the second time this season. XU now gets a rematch of the 2014 BIG EAST semifinal against top-seeded Georgetown on Thursday, Nov. 12 at Shaw Field. That match is scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Digital Network.

With the win, Xavier's senior class of Dallas Jaye, Vince Shaw, Alex Ridsdale, Calum Latham, Kyle Martin, Rhodes Moore and Chris Moore tie the program record for wins by a class at 51. XU also improves to 6-3-3 overall in conference tournament play under Fleming.

"The more important the games get, the more restarts come into play and both of our goals tonight were off of restarts," said head coach Andy Fleming. "We've worked on that a lot. We had to generate opportunities and we did. I thought early in the second half we came out and scored fast and kind of tilted the field uphill for them a little bit. Credit to them, that team was 1-10 and it was a great coaching job by Xavier alum Craig Blazer and a great testament to them to be here. Having said that, I think coming off Thursday night's Butler game – we have more soccer in us and we weren't going to go out today."

It wasn't the start XU wanted, as Jalen Harvey put the Blue Demons up 1-0 in the 15th minute. With the setting sun creating some confusion on the Musketeers' side of the field, the DePaul senior broke through and buried a laser from the left side. The assist came from Simon Megally, who registered his fourth helper in the last two matches for a side that played its best soccer of the season at the right time.

After beginning the year 1-10, DePaul went on a 4-2-1 run over its final seven to grab the fifth seed. The Blue Demons finish the year at 5-13-1 overall.

The Musketeers were not rattled by the early goal and stayed on the attack throughout the remainder of the half. In the 31st, Walker Andriot finally rattled the net off a rebound for his first goal of the season.

Going into the half, Xavier held a 10-3 edge in shots and a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal.

The Musketeers continued to control the game in the second half, getting the go-ahead strike off a restart in the 48th minute as Ridsdale connected off a pass from Kyle Martin. The senior dribbled in his team-leading eighth goal with a dribbler to the left side.

"In the latter parts of the game, they threw the kitchen sink at us and I thought we were composed," said Fleming. "I was most impressed when they scored early and we didn't look rattled or down and out. We stayed in the middle and I thought we were very poised. For our seniors, this was their 12th playoff game. This was DePaul's first and I talked about that before the game. I think we didn't let the stage get too big, but we also didn't minimize how well [DePaul has] done the last couple weeks."

The stats told the story, as Xavier held a 19-5 edge in shots (6-2 in shots on frame) and took 10 corners against DePaul's one.

Mack Robinson was solid in goal for the Blue Demons, recording four saves and only being beat off a pair of restarts. BIG EAST Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Dallas Jaye was also strong for Xavier, making one save on the night as Xavier's defense limited the DePaul attack.

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