Men's Soccer Looks to Continue Strong BIG EAST Start at Providence

Saturday, October 1

Providence, RI

4 p.m.

Xavier University

Providence

Men's Soccer Looks to Continue Strong BIG EAST Start at Providence

09.28.16 | Men's Soccer

Musketeers have posted back-to-back shutouts to begin league play

By: Brendan Bergen, Xavier Athletics Communication

CINCINNATI – No. RV/23 Xavier men's soccer looks to continue a 214-plus minute shutout streak as the Musketeers visit Providence College to continue BIG EAST action on Saturday.

The Musketeers (4-2-2, 2-0 BIG EAST) are coming off a 2-0 win over Georgetown last Saturday and are one of three teams (along with No. 7 Butler and No. 10 Creighton) off to a 2-0 start in league play. XU made its first appearance in a national poll this season, checking in at No. 23 in the Top Drawer Soccer National Top 25 on Tuesday.

Following Saturday's match, XU will cap its longest road swing of the season at Cleveland State on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER MUSKETEERS (4-2-2, 2-0 BIG EAST)
vs. PROVIDENCE FRIARS (4-4, 0-2 BIG EAST)
Match Info: Saturday, Oct. 1 – 4:00 p.m. – Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium
Follow: Live Stats | @XavierMSOC
Watch: BEDN

ABOUT PROVIDENCE

2016 Record: 4-5 (0-2 BIG EAST)
Last Result: L, 1-0 vs. UConn on Wednesday, Sept. 28
Key Players: Julian Gressel (4 G, 1 A, 29 SH), Danny Griffin (3 G, 12 SH)
In Goal: Ben Seguljic (6 GS, 9 GA, 1.45 GAA, 28 SV)

Notable:
• The Friars enter Saturday with a three-match losing streak, including back-to-back losses to begin league play (vs. Georgetown, at No. 10 Butler).
• Providence has virtually drawn with its opposition in several stat categories this season. Opponents have outshot the Friars 106-104, but PC holds a 48-46 edge in shots on goal. PC opponents also have a slight lead in corners, 50-47, and saves, 40-37.
• Mac Steeves, who has led PC with 24 goals the last two seasons, was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List ahead of the 2016 season. But the senior has been limited by injury, making just two starts this fall.
• Without Steeves, PC has lacked some of its offensive punch. The Friars have scored just eight goals in nine matches – including three straight scoreless outings.
• Providence leads the series 2-1-1 with all four meetings coming since the two schools joined the BIG EAST in 2013.
• The Friars are coming off an 8-7-3 (4-4-1) season a year ago, bowing out of the BIG EAST Championships against eventual league champion Georgetown in the semifinals.
• The Friars and Musketeers met in the 2014 BIG EAST Championship match during memorable seasons for both sides. Providence won the match 2-1 en route to its first-ever appearance in the College Cup. XU was awarded an at-large bid in 2014 and advanced to its first-ever Sweet 16.

LAST TIME OUT

• XU recorded a second straight shutout, beating Georgetown 2-0 on the road. The Hoyas were ranked in the NSCAA Top 10 to begin the year.
• Only XU and top-10 Maryland have gotten to Georgetown for multiple goals this season.
• The Musketeers, who have yet to record a shutout in non-conference action, have posted two straight clean sheets to open BIG EAST play.
• Xavier picked up its first true road win of the season in Washington D.C., moving to 1-2-1 away from Cincinnati.
• Colin Hanley played the full 90 in net and recorded his second straight clean sheet, collecting a career-high six saves.
• Georgetown outshot Xavier 14-10, but shots on goal were even at 6-6.
• Majed Osman tied for a match-high with three shots on frame.
• Georgetown keeper J.T. Marcinkowski made four brilliant saves, including two in the final minutes that robbed Derrick Otim and Majed Osman of great looks.
• The all-time series against Georgetown is now even 3-3.
• Prior to today's match XU had never won or scored a goal at Shaw Field.

SHARING IS CARING

• Sporting a typically-balanced offensive attack, Xavier has received goals from seven different players and eight Musketeers have contributed assists.

ON THE OFFENSIVE

• Xavier ranks 74th in the nation in total points (38) and 90th in total goals (12).
• Xavier ranks 35th in the NCAA in assists per game (1.75) and 41st in total assists (14).

SHOTS FIRED

• Xavier has been one of the top teams in the nation at generating scoring chances this fall.
• The Musketeers have outshot their opponents 111-79, including a 46-35 edge in shots on goal.
• The Musketeers are 54th in the nation with 13.88 shots per game and also rank 69th in shots on goal per match with an average of 5.75.
• Individually, Majed Osman rates 33rd in the NCAA with 3.38 shots per game.

BIG (EAST) SUCCESS

• After a 2-0 start to league play, Xavier is now 19-7-3 (.707) in BIG EAST play since joining the conference ahead of the 2013 season.
• The Musketeers have never finished below fourth in the BIG EAST standings.
• In three years in the league, Xavier has never failed to advance to the BIG EAST Championships – reaching the semifinals in 2013 and 2015, while also appearing in the 2014 title match against Providence.

2016 BIG EAST STANDINGS

#	TEAM	OVERALL (%)	BIG EAST (%)
1.	Butler	7-1-1 (.833)	2-0 (1.000)
2.	Creighton	6-1-2 (.778)	2-0 (1.000)
3.	Xavier	4-2-2 (.625)	2-0 (1.000)
4.	St. John's	5-2-2 (.667)	1-0-1 (.750)
5.	Villanova	5-3-1 (.611)	1-1 (.500)
6.	Georgetown	3-6 (.333)	1-1 (.500)
7.	Marquette	3-2-3 (.563)	0-1-1 (.250)
8.	DePaul	5-3-2 (.600)	0-2 (.000)
9.	Providence	4-5 (.444)	0-2 (.000)
10.	Seton Hall	2-6-1 (.278)	0-2 (.000)

* Standings current through 9/28

2016 BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS

• Xavier has had at least one player recognized by the BIG EAST in each week of the season.

NAME	AWARD (DATE)
Jalen Brown	BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (9/26)
Cory Brown	BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (9/19)
Majed Osman	BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (9/19)
Derrick Otim	BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (9/12)
Jake Ciricillo	BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (9/5)
Jalen Brown	BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (8/29)

XAVIER AGAINST THE BEST

• Xavier has faced 21 NSCAA-ranked opponents in the last six-plus seasons.
• Since 2010, Xavier now boasts an 8-9-4 overall record against NSCAA ranked opposition.
• The Musketeers are an incredible 6-2-1 against the Top-10, including wins at No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 1 Creighton last fall.
• In 2014, the Musketeers also claimed victories against No. 5 Indiana and No. 8 Georgetown.

XAVIER MEN'S SOCCER VS. THE NSCAA TOP 25 (SINCE 2010)
Home: 1-1-2 | Away: 3-4-1 | Neutral: 4-4-1

DATE	LOCATION	OPPONENT	RESULT
Nov. 13, 2010	Charlotte, N.C. (N)	#15 Charlotte	T, 0-0 (PK Win) *
Sept. 16, 2011	Evanston, Ill. (N)	#13 Northern Illinois	W, 1-0
Oct. 28, 2011	Charlotte, N.C. (A)	#16 Charlotte	L, 1-0
Nov. 10, 2011	St. Louis, Mo. (N)	#8 Charlotte	W, 2-1 (OT) *
Aug. 25, 2012	Cincinnati, Ohio (H)	#20 Northwestern	T, 1-1 (2OT)
Nov. 9, 2012	Charlotte, N.C. (N)	#25 Saint Louis	L, 1-0 *
Oct. 5, 2013	Omaha, Neb. (A)	#4 Creighton	L, 2-0
Oct. 12, 2013	Cincinnati, Ohio (H)	#9 Georgetown	W, 2-0
Aug. 31, 2014	Madison, Wis. (A)	#21 Wisconsin	L, 4-0
Oct. 18, 2014	Cincinnati, Ohio (H)	#6 Creighton	T, 1-1
Oct. 25, 2014	Milwaukee, Wis. (A)	#15 Marquette	W, 1-0
Oct. 29, 2014	Washington, D.C. (A)	#13 Georgetown	L, 1-0
Nov. 14, 2014	Philadelphia, Pa. (N)	#8 Georgetown	W, 1-0 ^
Nov. 16, 2014	Philadelphia, Pa. (N)	#23 Providence	L, 2-1 ^
Nov. 23, 2014	Bloomington, Ind. (N)	#5 Indiana	W, 2-1 %
Nov. 30, 2014	Omaha, Neb. (N)	#9 Creighton	L, 2-1 %
Sept. 15, 2015	South Bend, Ind. (A)	#2 Notre Dame	W, 1-0
Oct. 3, 2015	Cincinnati, Ohio (H)	#16 Georgetown	L, 1-0
Oct. 28, 2015	Omaha, Neb. (A)	#1 Creighton	W, 2-1
Nov. 12, 2015	Washington, D.C. (N)	#16 Georgetown	L, 1-0
Sept. 2, 2016	Charlottesville, Va. (A)	#12 Virginia	T, 1-1 (2OT)

POSTSEASON LEGEND
* Atlantic 10 Tournament
^ BIG EAST Tournament
% NCAA Tournament

GETTING UP OFF THE MAT

• After a 2-0 road loss at Louisville, Xavier men's soccer responded with a 1-0 win vs. DePaul on Saturday. It continues a trend of solid play after losses under Andy Fleming.
• Since 2010, XU has compiled a record of 18-8-4 (.667) after a loss.

YEAR	RECORD AFTER LOSS
2010	3-2-1
2011	3-0-1
2012	2-0-0
2013	3-3-0
2014	4-1-0
2015	2-2-1
2016	1-0-1
7 Seasons	18-8-4 (.667)

XU PICKED FOURTH IN BIG EAST

• The Musketeers were picked to finish fourth in the league's annual coaches poll, coming in behind two preseason top-10 teams in Creighton and Georgetown. XU also received a first-place vote in the poll for the first time.
• Matt Vasquenza and Cory Brown were both selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, as Brown was named the BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
• The prediction ties the highest for XU since entering the league in 2013. XU was picked fourth last season, seventh in 2014 and fifth in 2013.
• XU lived up to its prediction last season, finishing fourth in the league at 5-3-1. The Musketeers have been inside the top-four in each of its first three seasons in the BIG EAST.

WHAT'S BACK

• Xavier returns 16 players, including eight starters, from last season's 12-win team.
• The roster consists of 10 freshmen, seven sophomores, six juniors and four seniors.
• Four of Xavier's top five offensive options are back, as returners Jalen Brown, Matt Vasquenza, Majed Osman and Walker Andriot took a combined 122 shots in 2015. Those four players accounted for 53 percent of Xavier's 229 total shots in 2015.
• XU's typically-balanced offense saw 12 players record an assist or score a goal last season. Eight of the goal-scorers return in 2016, while nine players return who contributed an assist.
• The senior class of Jalen Brown, Todd Pratzner, Jake Ciricillo, Walker Andriot and Majed Osman have helped XU to a 38-20-5 (.643) record since 2013.
• The Musketeers return 52 percent of their goal-scoring (15-of-29) and 56 percent of their points (44-of-78).

HOLES TO FILL

• XU is holding auditions to replace a BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year for the second straight season after losing Dallas Jaye (13 GS, 0.63 GAA) to graduation. Jaye succeeded 2014 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year Eric Osswald.
• Leading scorer Alex Ridsdale (8g, 1a) was also lost to graduation.
• A key piece in the midfield, Kyle Martin graduated after starting 47 matches since 2013.
• Right back Chris Moore also graduated after making 58 career starts since 2013.
• The 2015 senior class of Dallas Jaye, Vince Shaw, Alex Ridsdale, Calum Latham, Kyle Martin, Rhodes Moore and Chris Moore left Xavier with 51 wins – tied for the most by any graduating group.
• In addition to player turnover, XU has an entirely new look on the sidelines with Ernie Yarborough, Garrett McLaughlin, Chris Black and Cam Olson all beginning their first year with the program. Former assistants John Michael Hayden (Louisville) and Charles Rodriguez (Stanford) took new jobs in the collegiate ranks, while goalkeeper coach Jamie Starr (FC Cincinnati) and Director of Operations Luke Spencer (FC Cincinnati) joined the USL.

CORY BROWN COLLECTING HONORS

• For a second straight preseason, Cory Brown has racked up an impressive collection of preseason honors. The junior from Nelson, New Zealand is considered one of the best defenders in college soccer and was on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List as a sophomore.

2016 PRESEASON HONORS FOR BROWN:
• BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
• Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
• College Soccer News Preseason All-America Second Team
• Top Drawer Soccer Men's Preseason Best XI Third Team

PRESEASON WRAP

• Xavier posted a 1-1 record in a pair of exhibitions, defeating the 2015 NAIA National Champs, Rio Grande (OH), 2-0 at home and falling 3-1 at No. 4 Maryland.
• Jalen Brown (2g) scored unassisted in both matches for the Musketeers and could be primed for a big season after leading XU in shots in 2015.

HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?

• Xavier goalkeepers have set program records for goals against average in three straight seasons.
• In 2013, Eric Osswald began the trend with a mark of 0.82. He lowered his own record to 0.74 in 2014, posting a program-best 11 shutouts and earning BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Last season, Dallas Jaye continued the run with an impressive 0.63 GAA and a BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year award.

AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE

· Xavier men's soccer has reached the NCAA Tournament in four of the last six seasons.
· The Musketeers finished 2015 at 12-6-1 overall, marking a sixth straight season with at least 10 wins – one of just 12 programs that can claim the feat.
· Last fall also marked Xavier's third straight finish in the top-four of the BIG EAST.
· XU was ranked in the nation's top-10 by the NSCAA for the third time in four years, while knocking of the national No. 1 (Creighton) and No. 2 (Notre Dame) on the road last season. The Musketeers are widely believed to be the first program to ever knock off both a No. 1 and a No. 2 on the road in the same season.