Men's Soccer Blanks Bucknell, 1-0, for Third Straight Win
09.19.15 | Men's Soccer
Chris Moore delivers game-winner in the 53rd minute as Musketeers net second consecutive shutout
CINCINNATI – Chris Moore delivered the game-winner in the 53rd minute as Xavier men's soccer won its third straight on Saturday, beating Bucknell 1-0 at XU Soccer Complex.
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The Musketeers improved to 5-2 overall, avoiding a letdown after the highest-ranked win in program history at No. 2 Notre Dame on Tuesday. Xavier secured a second straight shutout, putting a two-match losing streak even further in the rear view mirror. Bucknell dropped to 3-3-1 with the loss.
"It's early, but I think that's an NCAA Tournament-level team we played tonight," said head coach Andy Fleming. "I think the first half we were very strong, had command of the ball and the game, but didn't break them down at all. Sometimes, when that happens, it's an inadvertent goal that makes the difference. We didn't get behind them too much and you could tell they had a week to prepare for us, there was a lot of man marking and definitely some tough nuts to crack. But we were poised and looked like a veteran team. I don't think we got too high or too low, and at the end we did what we had to do. That's going to happen sometimes."
After a back-and-forth first half, XU held a 4-2 lead in shots and controlled possession but could not get many clean looks at the net against a stout Bucknell defense.
Moore made a highlight reel defensive play in the 50th minute, diving to block a shot attempt by Jesse Klug – Bucknell's leading scorer. He would find the net himself just minutes later, getting loose at the top of the box and firing a low-liner far post. The opportunity came off a soft touch from Jalen Brown and was Moore's second goal of the season.
It was the second assist of the season for Brown, who scored the game-winner at No. 2 Notre Dame on Tuesday.
Bucknell had a few chances late, including a shot that went just wide from Justin Galiani with 43 seconds to play. XU held on, however, tying the Bison 7-7 in total shots.
XU returns to action at home on Tuesday, Sept. 22 against IPFW at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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The Musketeers improved to 5-2 overall, avoiding a letdown after the highest-ranked win in program history at No. 2 Notre Dame on Tuesday. Xavier secured a second straight shutout, putting a two-match losing streak even further in the rear view mirror. Bucknell dropped to 3-3-1 with the loss.
"It's early, but I think that's an NCAA Tournament-level team we played tonight," said head coach Andy Fleming. "I think the first half we were very strong, had command of the ball and the game, but didn't break them down at all. Sometimes, when that happens, it's an inadvertent goal that makes the difference. We didn't get behind them too much and you could tell they had a week to prepare for us, there was a lot of man marking and definitely some tough nuts to crack. But we were poised and looked like a veteran team. I don't think we got too high or too low, and at the end we did what we had to do. That's going to happen sometimes."
After a back-and-forth first half, XU held a 4-2 lead in shots and controlled possession but could not get many clean looks at the net against a stout Bucknell defense.
Moore made a highlight reel defensive play in the 50th minute, diving to block a shot attempt by Jesse Klug – Bucknell's leading scorer. He would find the net himself just minutes later, getting loose at the top of the box and firing a low-liner far post. The opportunity came off a soft touch from Jalen Brown and was Moore's second goal of the season.
It was the second assist of the season for Brown, who scored the game-winner at No. 2 Notre Dame on Tuesday.
Bucknell had a few chances late, including a shot that went just wide from Justin Galiani with 43 seconds to play. XU held on, however, tying the Bison 7-7 in total shots.
XU returns to action at home on Tuesday, Sept. 22 against IPFW at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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Team Stats
BU
XU
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
7
Shots on Goal
1
4
Saves
3
1
Corners
1
0
Fouls
8
6
Scoring Plays

MOORE, Chris (2)
Assisted By: BROWN, Jalen
Top of the box from Brown, Moore line dr
52:12
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned
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