No. 19 Men's Soccer Blanks Wisconsin, 2-0

Sunday, August 30

Madison, Wis.

8 P.M.

Xavier University

2-0-0

Wisconsin

0-2-0

Xavier

Wisconsin

Photo by: Doug Cochran

08.30.15 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Musketeers start season with back-to-back shutouts for first time since 2011

By: Brendan Bergen, Xavier Athletic Communications

MADISON, Wis. – Josh Grant buried a header 35 seconds into the second half, breaking a stalemate and helping No. 19 Xavier men's soccer to a 2-0 win over Wisconsin on Sunday at McClimon Soccer Complex.

XU improved to 2-0 overall, getting its second straight shutout to start the season. It's the first time the Musketeers have earned back-to-back clean sheets to begin a year since 2011.

"This was certainly a game we had circled and one we had been waiting for," said head coach Andy Fleming. "To travel all day, get in at 9 p.m. and play such a physical and dynamic team in the second match of a two-day weekend was no easy task. Give credit to our team, which regrouped at halftime, applied some tactics and got command of a gritty road game."

Wisconsin fell to 0-2 with the loss despite drawing even with the Musketeers in shots (6-6) and corners (4-4). With the win, Xavier locked up the all-time series against UW at 2-2-1 and avenged a 4-0 loss in Madison nearly a year ago to the day.

"I thought our seniors played well in the second half and our backline blocked a few key shots down the stretch," said Fleming. "Walker Andriot's return to the lineup certainly helped us and we did well to kill the game in its late stages -- despite being fatigued from a two-game weekend. Overall, it was a strong week in training and with the results. But there's certainly a lot of room to grow, which might be what excites me the most."

The first half was a frustrating one for Xavier, which picked up a pair of yellow cards and managed just one shot. The tide began to turn just after the break, however, as Grant's go-ahead goal came off a restart just 35 seconds in. Matt Nance and Matt Vasquenza were credited on the assist, giving Nance his first career point.

"Both of our goals came off restarts, with Josh Grant's coming just 35 seconds into the half, which really changed the momentum in our favor. If you include pre-season, Josh is the 10th different player to score for us -- which is exciting."

Jalen Brown and Walker Andriot both had shots in the following minutes as XU put together a strong first five minutes after the break.

Alex Ridsdale provided some insurance in the 74th minute, capitalizing on a penalty kick chance for his second goal of the season.

Wisconsin would have a couple late chances, but Vince Shaw held firm in goal for his second shutout -- making two saves on the night.

After an eight goal outburst on Friday against EIU, Xavier's 10 goals through two matches are the most for the program since 1992.

Xavier returns to the pitch on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. First touch is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.