Women's Soccer Moves to 3-0 in BIG EAST Play with Win at Villanova

Thursday, September 29

Villanova, Pa.

2 PM

Xavier University

9-2-1, 3-0-0

Villanova

2-4-2, 1-1-0

Xavier

Villanova

Women's Soccer Moves to 3-0 in BIG EAST Play with Win at Villanova

09.29.22 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

Molly McLaughlin scores in 21st minute from Rachel Dewey; Musketeer defense gets sixth shutout

By: Hayley Schletker, Xavier Athletic Communications

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Xavier women's soccer moved to 3-0 in BIG EAST play following a 1-0 win at Villanova on Thursday afternoon. Fueled by a Molly McLaughlin first-half goal and a shutout for the Musketeer defense, Xavier picked up a fifth-straight win and moved to 9-2-1 overall.

Xavier opened up the match by putting pressure on the VU, holding a 4-1 advantage on shots in the first 20 minutes. Following a foul, the Musketeers' fifth shot of the game, a header from Molly McLaughlin off a Rachel Dewey free kick, found the lower right corner to give the Musketeers the 1-0 lead. Xavier took the lead into the break, out-shooting the Wildcats 12-2 in the first 45 minute and holding a 5-1 advantage on corner kicks.

Overall, Xavier finished with a 21-6 advantage on shots, with a 9-1 advantage on looks on-frame, with the Xavier defense picking up its sixth shutout of the season to help the Musketeers to a fifth-straight win.

The Musketeers return home to host Seton Hall at Corcoran Field on Sunday, October 2, set for a 1:00 p.m. start.

SCORING RECAP

21' | XAVIER | Rachel Dewey served the ball to the far post off a free kick from the right side fo the field. Molly McLaughlin used a header to finish to the lower right corner to give Xavier the 1-0 lead.

NOTABLE

Molly McLaughlin's goal was her third of the season and first of BIG EAST play. She leads the Musketeers with eight points on three goals and two assists.
McLaughlin now has two game-winners on the season, matching Chloe Netzel and Simone Rivard-Roberts for team-high.
Rachel Dewey picked up the assist on McLaughlin's goal, marking the third-straight match she picked up a point on a helper. She now has a team-high four assists for the season.
Xavier finished with a 21-6 advantage on shots, led by McLaughlin's five and three each for Avery Lockwood and Ella Rogers.
Maddie Reed, Natalie Bain, Molly McLaughlin, Ella Rogers and Rachel Dewey all played over 75 minutes for the Musketeer defense which allowed just one shot on-goal, helping Xavier to its sixth shutout of the season.
Maria Galley played the full time in goal, collecting a save with no goals against for her ninth win and sixth shutout of her freshman season.

VIDEO

Molly McLaughlin gives Xavier the lead on a header, from Rachel Dewey! pic.twitter.com/9rqlOrnTpm
— Xavier Women's Soccer (@XavierWSOC) September 29, 2022

Molly McLaughlin speaks with the BEDN's Nick Mantegna following Xavier's win at Villanova.#LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/IYaXvCvSNJ
— Xavier Women's Soccer (@XavierWSOC) September 29, 2022