Late Goal Lifts Musketeers Past Villanova, 2-1

Saturday, October 8

Villanova, Pa.

1 p.m.

Xavier University

8-0-4, 2-0-3

Villanova

5-4-2, 2-2-1

Xavier

Villanova

Late Goal Lifts Musketeers Past Villanova, 2-1

10.08.22 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)

Nicolas Hald Willumsen scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Nicolas Hald Willumsen's goal in the 89th minute at Villanova gave the Xavier men's soccer team a 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon. The Musketeers remain unbeaten on the year with an 8-0-4 (2-0-3 BIG EAST) record, while the Wildcats dropped to 5-4-2 (2-2-1 BIG EAST).

Xavier's 12-match unbeaten streak to start the season is the longest unbeaten streak to start a season since 2012 (The Musketeers started the year 10-0-4 before losing a match).

SCORING RECAP

34' | VU | Lyam Mackinnon (Balthi Saunders)
62' | XU | Alejandro Steinwascher (Dominik Kurija)
89' | XU | Nicolas Hald Willumsen (Dominik Kurija)

NOTABLE

• Villanova's goal in the 34th minute was the first goal the Musketeers have allowed in 382 minutes. The last time Xavier allowed a goal was on Sept. 20 at Evansville. It was only the third, first-half goal allowed by the Musketeers this season.

• Xavier and Villanova both entered the break with six shots (four on goal). The Musketeers controlled the second half as they limited the Wildcats to only two shots (zero on goal). Xavier had seven shots (five shots on goal) in the second half.

• Alejandro Steinwascher scored his first goal of the season on a diving header via a cross from Dominik Kurija in the 62nd minute. The UIndy transfer now has 39 career goals.

• Nicolas Hald Willumsen's goal in the 89th minute was his second goal of the season and the first-game winning goal of his career. The freshman was one of three players with three shots in the match. Hald Willumsen, Alvaro Heredia and Alejandro Steinwascher all had three shots (two on goal).

• Dominik Kurija is one of five Musketeers with two or more assists on the year. The junior defender now has three assists on the season.

• Xavier took five more shots (13-8) than the Wildcats and five more shots on goal (9-4). The Musketeers committed one more foul (13-12), while Villanova took four more corner kicks (7-3).

• Cole Jensen (8-0-4) made three saves in goal. He now has a 0.50 goals against average.

• Dylan Kropp and Cole Jensen were the only Musketeers to play all 90 minutes.

• Xavier snapped a two-game losing streak in the series with Villanova and moved to 3-2 all-time vs the Wildcats when playing at Villanova. Xavier is 5-3-1 all-time vs the Wildcats.

UP NEXT

• Xavier continues BIG EAST action on Wednesday, Oct. 12 vs Creighton. First touch is set for 7 p.m. from Corcoran Field.

HIGHLIGHTS