Xavier University Athletics
Sunday, November 12
Boyds, Md.
11 a.m.
Xavier University
vs
Georgetown
Xavier Takes on Nationally Ranked Hoyas in BIG EAST Championship Match
11.11.23 | Men's Soccer
First touch is set for 11 a.m. from the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.
CINCINNATI - Xavier men's soccer takes on No. 3 Georgetown in the BIG EAST Tournament Championship on Sunday, Nov. 12. First touch is set for 11 a.m. from the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. with the match being aired nationally on FS1.
The Musketeers are the No. 2 seed in the tournament and the Hoyas are the No. 1 seed. The two teams are meeting in the BIG EAST Tournament Championship for the second time in tournament history (also played each other in the 2017 title match).
Xavier is looking to capture its first BIG EAST Tournament Title in program history (joined the conference in 2013) and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. A win on Sunday would be Xavier's first 10-win season since 2017.
NO. 2 SEED XAVIER MUSKETEERS (9-3-5) vs NO. 1 SEED GEORGETOWN HOYAS (13-2-2)
Game Info - Sunday, Nov. 12 - 11 a.m. ET - Maryland SoccerPlex (5,000)
Live Stats - bit.ly/2MvPT28
Watch Live (FS1) - foxsports.com/live
2023 Record: 13-2-2 (6-1-1)
2022 Record: 12-6-3 (8-1-1)
2022 Postseason: NCAA Tournament - Second Round
Series History: Xavier trails, 7-6
Last meeting: No. 16 Georgetown 3, Xavier 1 (Sept. 23, 2023 - Cincinnati, Ohio)
NOTABLES
• Georgetown enters Sunday's match ranked No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches' Poll. The Hoyas won the BIG EAST East Division Title with a 6-1-1 conference record and a league-best 19 points.
• Three of the major award winners at the end of the BIG EAST regular-season were Hoyas: Marlon Tabora (Co-Midfielder of the Year), Kenny Nielsen (Defender of the Year) and Ryan Schewe (Goalkeeper of the Year). Georgetown also collected Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
• Four other players earned All-BIG EAST honors: Jacob Murrell (1st Team), Kieran Sargeant (1st Team), Kyle Linhares (3rd Team) and Zach Zengue (3rd Team).
• Xavier trails the all-time series with Georgetown, 7-6. The Hoyas have won four straight matches in the series, including a 3-1 victory earlier this season in Cincinnati (Sept. 23).
• A win on Saturday would be Xavier's first victory vs the Hoyas since Sept. 15, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (W, 3-2).
XU VS GU - BIG EAST TOURNAMENT MATCHES
Nov. 12, 2017 - Georgetown 2, Xavier 1 (OT) - Championship (Washington, D.C.)
Nov. 12, 2015 - Georgetown 1, Xavier 0 - Semifinals (Washington, D.C.)
Nov. 14, 2014 - Xavier 1, Georgetown 0 - Semifinals (Philadelphia, Pa.)
• Xavier is 4-6-2 all-time in BIG EAST Tournament action (joined the conference in 2013). Thursday's win over the Friars was the Musketeers first BIG EAST Tournament win since Nov. 4, 2017 vs Providence (W, 3-0) in the quarterfinal round.
• Xavier is playing in its third BIG EAST Tournament Championship match on Sunday vs the Hoyas.
XU BIG EAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
Nov. 12, 2017 - Georgetown 2, Xavier 1 (OT) - Washington, D.C.
Nov. 16, 2014 - Providence 2, Xavier 1 - Philadelphia, Pa.
• Dylan Kropp and Makel Rasheed were named to the All-BIG EAST Teams on Nov. 7. Both players earn all-conference honors for the second time in as many seasons.
• Rasheed was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team after earning second-team honors in 2022. The Rockville, Md., native has helped the Musketeers post a 0.82 goals against average and eight shutouts this season, both ranking second in the BIG EAST.
• Rasheed and the defensive back line have only allowed 14 goals this season, ranking second in the BIG EAST and 22nd in the NCAA. He has also added two goals this season.
• Kropp was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team after earning third-team honors in 2022. The Columbus, Ohio, native has helped the Musketeers post a 0.82 goals against average and eight shutouts this season, both ranking second in the BIG EAST.
• Kropp and the defensive back line have only allowed 14 goals this season, ranking second in the BIG EAST and 22nd in the NCAA. He leads all Xavier field players in minutes played with 1,476.
• Xavier has faced 45 United Soccer Coaches-ranked opponents since the start of the 2010 season, posting a 13-23-9 record in those matches. The Musketeers are 8-6-3 against USC Top-10 teams since 2010, including wins at No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 1 Creighton in 2015.
• Xavier is playing a ranked team on Sunday for the fifth time this season. The Musketeers are 1-2-1 this season vs top-25 opponents, most recently defeating No. 21 Akron, 1-0, on Nov. 4 at Corcoran Field in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
• Xavier defeated Providence, 1-0, in the BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 9.
• Taylor Rhinehart scored his first game-winning goal of the season in the 47th minute. He now ranks second on the team in points with nine (three goals, three assists) and has two career game-winning goals.
• Jonny Mennell (9-3-5) earned the win in goal, making four saves - including one on a Friar penalty kick in the 73rd minute. He now has eight shutouts on the year with 52 saves.
• Jonny Mennell's eight shutouts ranks tied for third in single-season school history (Cole Jensen had eight shutouts in 2022). The Asheville, N.C., native now has a 0.82 goals against average this season, ranking third in single-season program history.
• Xavier has posted a 5-0-4 record in its last nine matches. The Musketeers have posted a 0.33 goals against average during that span with only three goals allowed. Xavier has not allowed a goal for 353 straight minutes (last allowed a goal at Villanova on Oct. 21). The Musketeers have not lost a match since Sept. 23 (3-1 loss to No. 16 Georgetown at Corcoran Field).
• Jonny Mennell has posted a 0.33 goals against average with 32 saves and six shutouts in the team's last nine matches. Guilherme Vivaldini has led Xavier in scoring during that span with six points (two goals, two assists).
• Jerome Jolly leads the Musketeers in points with 10 (four goals, two assists). Taylor Rhinehart has added nine points (three goals, three assists). Jolly ranks tied for third in the BIG EAST in game-winning goals (4) and tied for 17th in the NCAA.
• Twelve different Musketeers have scored a goal this season. Eleven different players have also recorded an assist.
• Jonny Mennell ranks tied for second in the BIG EAST in goals against average (0.82) and tied for first in shutouts (8).
• Xavier has only allowed 14 goals this season, ranking second in the BIG EAST. Xavier ranks tied for 22nd in the NCAA in fewest goals allowed this season.
• Five BIG EAST teams are ranked in the top-55 of the most recent NCAA RPI Rankings (Nov. 5). Georgetown (No. 3), Akron (No. 43), Xavier (No. 50), Providence (No. 53) and UConn (No. 55).
• Xavier opened BIG EAST action with a 4-1 win vs DePaul on Sept. 16 at Corcoran Field. The four-goal performance was the most goals scored in a BIG EAST match by the Musketeers since Oct. 31, 2018 vs Butler (W, 5-3).
Oct. 31 - Jonny Mennell - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Oct. 31 - Makel Rasheed - BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 16 - Jonny Mennell - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Oct. 16 - Makel Rasheed - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Oct. 12 - Jonny Mennell - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Oct. 2 - Nathan Trickett - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Oct. 2 - Makel Rasheed - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Aug. 28 - Seydou Diop - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Sept. 5 - Jerome Jolly - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
• Makel Rasheed was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team on Aug. 15 after helping the Musketeers post a 0.89 goals against average and eight shutouts last season. The defender was drafted by Nashville SC in MLS SuperDraft 2023 presented by adidas, taken as the seventh pick (65th overall) in the third round. Rasheed also earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team.
• Six of Xavier's opponents were ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top-25 Poll: Creighton (No. 8), Marshall (No. 11), Georgetown (No. 17), Akron (No. 22), Providence (RV) and Ohio State (RV). The Musketeers also played Western Michigan (RV) in exhibition action.
• Xavier played seven non-conference matches, four at home and three on the road. The Musketeers opened the home portion of their schedule vs Wright State on Thursday, Aug. 24. Xavier also played home non-conference matches vs Oakland (Aug. 27), Cleveland State (Sept. 4).
• Xavier's remaining non-conference road matches were at Marshall (Sept. 1), UTRGV (Sept. 11), Duquesne (Sept. 19) and Ohio State (Oct. 3).
• The Musketeers opened BIG EAST action vs DePaul on Friday, Sept. 15 at Corcoran Field. Xavier's other three home BIG EAST contests were vs Georgetown (Sept. 23), Akron (Oct. 14) and Butler (Oct. 18).
• Xavier's four BIG EAST road matches were at Creighton (Sept. 29), Marquette (Oct. 7), Villanova (Oct. 21) and UConn (Oct. 28).
• Xavier faced six teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last season, including College Cup participant Creighton. Cleveland State, Ohio State, Marshall, Georgetown and Seton Hall all joined the Bluejays in the NCAA Tournament. The Musketeers also take on Western Michigan who participated in the NCAA Tournament during exhibition play.
• Xavier has posted a 53-28-16 (.629) non-conference record since 2013. The Musketeers have recorded an 29-8-6 (.744) record at home in those matches.
• Xavier is 75-31-17 (.679) at Corcoran Field since the start of the 2010 season.
• Xavier returns two of its top three point leaders from last season, led by Fabrizio Bernal De La Garza who had nine points (four goals, one assist). Jerome Jolly added eight points (three goals, two assists).
• Defensively, Xavier returns Makel Rasheed and Dylan Kropp. Both players helped the Musketeers post a 0.89 goals against average (23rd in NCAA) with eight shutouts (10th in NCAA). Xavier finished the year ranked tied for fourth in single-season school history in shutouts (8) and fourth in single-season school history in goals against average (0.89).
• Makel Rasheed was drafted by Nashville SC in MLS SuperDraft 2023 presented by adidas, taken as the seventh pick (65th overall) in the third round. Rasheed also earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team.
• Dylan Kropp was named to the All-BIG EAST Third Team, one of only three freshmen who picked up all-conference honors. He was named to the TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI First Team.
• Xavier added 12 newcomers to the roster, including four transfers: Cooper Forcellini (Bellarmine) Michael Rogalski (Bradley), Matthew Senanou (North Carolina) and Guilherme Vivaldini (North Carolina).
• John Higgins was named the new men's soccer coach in March of 2022. He joined the Musketeers from the University of Indianapolis where he compiled a 150-56-29 overall record in 12 seasons with the Greyhounds. He now has a 168-61-41 overall record in 13 seasons as a head coach.
• In year one at Xavier, he led the Musketeers to a No. 9 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Poll on Oct. 19 - matching the highest ranking in program history (was also ranked No. 9 on Oct. 28, 2014).
• Higgins also saw two players taken in the MLS SuperDraft 2023 presented by adidas. Xavier had two players taken in the same draft for the first time in program history. Cole Jensen was the 18th overall pick (first round), while Makel Rasheed was taken as the seventh pick in the third round (65th overall). Three player also earned All-BIG EAST honors, highlighted by Jenen who was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year.
• Higgins finished the 2021 fall season ranked fourth in the USC Top-25 Poll after posting an 18-1-3 record and advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Championships. All told, he posted a 31-1-7 record over two seasons in 2021 (spring season due to COVID-19 pandemic).
• The three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference 'Coach of the Year' owns a 7-3-1 (.625) record in NCAA Tournament action and finished GLVC Tournament play with an 18-3-5 (.750) mark. He finished his coaching career at UIndy as the program's all-time leader in wins (150) and winning percentage (.700).
• Higgins led the Greyhounds to a total of six conference championships from 2010-21, including three regular-season titles and three tournament championships. All told, he has made five NCAA Tournaments with two national semifinal appearances.
• The Dunfermline, United Kingdom, native coached 54 All-GLVC selections at UIndy along with seven All-Midwest Region honorees and two All-Americans. Academically, the Greyhounds have earned the USC Team Academic Award in each season under Higgins.
• Xavier men's soccer has reached the NCAA Tournament in four of the last 13 seasons. The Musketeers have also won 10 or more matches in seven of the last 13 seasons.
• Xavier was the only program in the nation with five consecutive major conference awards from 2012-16, including 2016 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Cory Brown.
• Xavier has qualified for seven of the last 10 BIG EAST Championships, including trips to the title game in 2014 and 2017.
• Xavier has been ranked in the nation's top-10 four times in the last 10 years by the United Soccer Coaches. The Musketeers have been nationally-ranked in at least one major college soccer poll (United Soccer Coaches, Top Drawer Soccer, College Soccer News, Soccer America) in every season since 2011.
• Xavier was ranked as high as No. 9 on Oct. 19, 2022 - matching the highest ranking in program history (was also ranked No. 9 on Oct. 28, 2014).
• In 2015, Xavier knocked off the national No. 1 (Creighton) and No. 2 (Notre Dame) on the road. 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.
• Six Xavier players have been selected in the MLS SuperDraft in the last 11 years, including Cole Jensen and Makel Rasheed in 2022.
2022 - Cole Jensen - GK - 1st Round (18th) - Inter Miami CF
2022 - Makel Rasheed - D - 3rd Round (65th) - Nashville FC
2018 - Cory Brown - D - 3rd Round (62nd) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2017 - Jalen Brown - MF/F - 2nd Round (38th) - NYC FC
2014 - Nick Hagglund - D - 1st Round (10th) - Toronto FC
2013 - Luke Spencer - F - 1st Round (23rd) - New England Revolution
EAST DIVISION
(first-place votes)
1. Georgetown (11) - 66
2. Providence (1) - 56
3. St. John's - 40
4. Seton Hall - 36
5. Connecticut - 24
5. Villanova - 24
MIDWEST DIVISION
(first-place votes)
1. Creighton (8) - 63
2. Butler (2) - 50
3. Akron (2) - 48
4. Xavier - 39
5. Marquette - 29
6. DePaul - 17
• The 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship bracket will be announced on Monday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. The show will be aired on NCAA.com.
The Musketeers are the No. 2 seed in the tournament and the Hoyas are the No. 1 seed. The two teams are meeting in the BIG EAST Tournament Championship for the second time in tournament history (also played each other in the 2017 title match).
Xavier is looking to capture its first BIG EAST Tournament Title in program history (joined the conference in 2013) and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. A win on Sunday would be Xavier's first 10-win season since 2017.
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THE MATCHUP VS GEORGETOWN |
NO. 2 SEED XAVIER MUSKETEERS (9-3-5) vs NO. 1 SEED GEORGETOWN HOYAS (13-2-2)
Game Info - Sunday, Nov. 12 - 11 a.m. ET - Maryland SoccerPlex (5,000)
Live Stats - bit.ly/2MvPT28
Watch Live (FS1) - foxsports.com/live
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ABOUT GEORGETOWN |
2023 Record: 13-2-2 (6-1-1)2022 Record: 12-6-3 (8-1-1)
2022 Postseason: NCAA Tournament - Second Round
Series History: Xavier trails, 7-6
Last meeting: No. 16 Georgetown 3, Xavier 1 (Sept. 23, 2023 - Cincinnati, Ohio)
NOTABLES
• Georgetown enters Sunday's match ranked No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches' Poll. The Hoyas won the BIG EAST East Division Title with a 6-1-1 conference record and a league-best 19 points.
• Three of the major award winners at the end of the BIG EAST regular-season were Hoyas: Marlon Tabora (Co-Midfielder of the Year), Kenny Nielsen (Defender of the Year) and Ryan Schewe (Goalkeeper of the Year). Georgetown also collected Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
• Four other players earned All-BIG EAST honors: Jacob Murrell (1st Team), Kieran Sargeant (1st Team), Kyle Linhares (3rd Team) and Zach Zengue (3rd Team).
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SERIES HISTORY |
• Xavier trails the all-time series with Georgetown, 7-6. The Hoyas have won four straight matches in the series, including a 3-1 victory earlier this season in Cincinnati (Sept. 23).
• A win on Saturday would be Xavier's first victory vs the Hoyas since Sept. 15, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (W, 3-2).
XU VS GU - BIG EAST TOURNAMENT MATCHES
Nov. 12, 2017 - Georgetown 2, Xavier 1 (OT) - Championship (Washington, D.C.)
Nov. 12, 2015 - Georgetown 1, Xavier 0 - Semifinals (Washington, D.C.)
Nov. 14, 2014 - Xavier 1, Georgetown 0 - Semifinals (Philadelphia, Pa.)
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XU BIG EAST TOURNAMENT HISTORY |
• Xavier is 4-6-2 all-time in BIG EAST Tournament action (joined the conference in 2013). Thursday's win over the Friars was the Musketeers first BIG EAST Tournament win since Nov. 4, 2017 vs Providence (W, 3-0) in the quarterfinal round.
• Xavier is playing in its third BIG EAST Tournament Championship match on Sunday vs the Hoyas.
XU BIG EAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
Nov. 12, 2017 - Georgetown 2, Xavier 1 (OT) - Washington, D.C.
Nov. 16, 2014 - Providence 2, Xavier 1 - Philadelphia, Pa.
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ALL-BIG EAST HONORS |
• Dylan Kropp and Makel Rasheed were named to the All-BIG EAST Teams on Nov. 7. Both players earn all-conference honors for the second time in as many seasons.
• Rasheed was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team after earning second-team honors in 2022. The Rockville, Md., native has helped the Musketeers post a 0.82 goals against average and eight shutouts this season, both ranking second in the BIG EAST.
• Rasheed and the defensive back line have only allowed 14 goals this season, ranking second in the BIG EAST and 22nd in the NCAA. He has also added two goals this season.
• Kropp was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team after earning third-team honors in 2022. The Columbus, Ohio, native has helped the Musketeers post a 0.82 goals against average and eight shutouts this season, both ranking second in the BIG EAST.
• Kropp and the defensive back line have only allowed 14 goals this season, ranking second in the BIG EAST and 22nd in the NCAA. He leads all Xavier field players in minutes played with 1,476.
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XU VS THE TOP-25 |
• Xavier has faced 45 United Soccer Coaches-ranked opponents since the start of the 2010 season, posting a 13-23-9 record in those matches. The Musketeers are 8-6-3 against USC Top-10 teams since 2010, including wins at No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 1 Creighton in 2015.
• Xavier is playing a ranked team on Sunday for the fifth time this season. The Musketeers are 1-2-1 this season vs top-25 opponents, most recently defeating No. 21 Akron, 1-0, on Nov. 4 at Corcoran Field in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
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LAST TIME OUT |
• Xavier defeated Providence, 1-0, in the BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 9.
• Taylor Rhinehart scored his first game-winning goal of the season in the 47th minute. He now ranks second on the team in points with nine (three goals, three assists) and has two career game-winning goals.
• Jonny Mennell (9-3-5) earned the win in goal, making four saves - including one on a Friar penalty kick in the 73rd minute. He now has eight shutouts on the year with 52 saves.
• Jonny Mennell's eight shutouts ranks tied for third in single-season school history (Cole Jensen had eight shutouts in 2022). The Asheville, N.C., native now has a 0.82 goals against average this season, ranking third in single-season program history.
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NOTABLES |
• Xavier has posted a 5-0-4 record in its last nine matches. The Musketeers have posted a 0.33 goals against average during that span with only three goals allowed. Xavier has not allowed a goal for 353 straight minutes (last allowed a goal at Villanova on Oct. 21). The Musketeers have not lost a match since Sept. 23 (3-1 loss to No. 16 Georgetown at Corcoran Field).
• Jonny Mennell has posted a 0.33 goals against average with 32 saves and six shutouts in the team's last nine matches. Guilherme Vivaldini has led Xavier in scoring during that span with six points (two goals, two assists).
• Jerome Jolly leads the Musketeers in points with 10 (four goals, two assists). Taylor Rhinehart has added nine points (three goals, three assists). Jolly ranks tied for third in the BIG EAST in game-winning goals (4) and tied for 17th in the NCAA.
• Twelve different Musketeers have scored a goal this season. Eleven different players have also recorded an assist.
• Jonny Mennell ranks tied for second in the BIG EAST in goals against average (0.82) and tied for first in shutouts (8).
• Xavier has only allowed 14 goals this season, ranking second in the BIG EAST. Xavier ranks tied for 22nd in the NCAA in fewest goals allowed this season.
• Five BIG EAST teams are ranked in the top-55 of the most recent NCAA RPI Rankings (Nov. 5). Georgetown (No. 3), Akron (No. 43), Xavier (No. 50), Providence (No. 53) and UConn (No. 55).
• Xavier opened BIG EAST action with a 4-1 win vs DePaul on Sept. 16 at Corcoran Field. The four-goal performance was the most goals scored in a BIG EAST match by the Musketeers since Oct. 31, 2018 vs Butler (W, 5-3).
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BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS |
Oct. 31 - Jonny Mennell - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Oct. 31 - Makel Rasheed - BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 16 - Jonny Mennell - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Oct. 16 - Makel Rasheed - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Oct. 12 - Jonny Mennell - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Oct. 2 - Nathan Trickett - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Oct. 2 - Makel Rasheed - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Aug. 28 - Seydou Diop - BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Sept. 5 - Jerome Jolly - BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
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RASHEED - PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST |
• Makel Rasheed was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team on Aug. 15 after helping the Musketeers post a 0.89 goals against average and eight shutouts last season. The defender was drafted by Nashville SC in MLS SuperDraft 2023 presented by adidas, taken as the seventh pick (65th overall) in the third round. Rasheed also earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team.
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SCHEDULE NOTES |
• Six of Xavier's opponents were ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top-25 Poll: Creighton (No. 8), Marshall (No. 11), Georgetown (No. 17), Akron (No. 22), Providence (RV) and Ohio State (RV). The Musketeers also played Western Michigan (RV) in exhibition action.
• Xavier played seven non-conference matches, four at home and three on the road. The Musketeers opened the home portion of their schedule vs Wright State on Thursday, Aug. 24. Xavier also played home non-conference matches vs Oakland (Aug. 27), Cleveland State (Sept. 4).
• Xavier's remaining non-conference road matches were at Marshall (Sept. 1), UTRGV (Sept. 11), Duquesne (Sept. 19) and Ohio State (Oct. 3).
• The Musketeers opened BIG EAST action vs DePaul on Friday, Sept. 15 at Corcoran Field. Xavier's other three home BIG EAST contests were vs Georgetown (Sept. 23), Akron (Oct. 14) and Butler (Oct. 18).
• Xavier's four BIG EAST road matches were at Creighton (Sept. 29), Marquette (Oct. 7), Villanova (Oct. 21) and UConn (Oct. 28).
• Xavier faced six teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last season, including College Cup participant Creighton. Cleveland State, Ohio State, Marshall, Georgetown and Seton Hall all joined the Bluejays in the NCAA Tournament. The Musketeers also take on Western Michigan who participated in the NCAA Tournament during exhibition play.
• Xavier has posted a 53-28-16 (.629) non-conference record since 2013. The Musketeers have recorded an 29-8-6 (.744) record at home in those matches.
• Xavier is 75-31-17 (.679) at Corcoran Field since the start of the 2010 season.
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ABOUT THE MUSKETEERS |
• Xavier returns two of its top three point leaders from last season, led by Fabrizio Bernal De La Garza who had nine points (four goals, one assist). Jerome Jolly added eight points (three goals, two assists).
• Defensively, Xavier returns Makel Rasheed and Dylan Kropp. Both players helped the Musketeers post a 0.89 goals against average (23rd in NCAA) with eight shutouts (10th in NCAA). Xavier finished the year ranked tied for fourth in single-season school history in shutouts (8) and fourth in single-season school history in goals against average (0.89).
• Makel Rasheed was drafted by Nashville SC in MLS SuperDraft 2023 presented by adidas, taken as the seventh pick (65th overall) in the third round. Rasheed also earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team.
• Dylan Kropp was named to the All-BIG EAST Third Team, one of only three freshmen who picked up all-conference honors. He was named to the TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI First Team.
• Xavier added 12 newcomers to the roster, including four transfers: Cooper Forcellini (Bellarmine) Michael Rogalski (Bradley), Matthew Senanou (North Carolina) and Guilherme Vivaldini (North Carolina).
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JOHN HIGGINS - HEAD COACH |
• John Higgins was named the new men's soccer coach in March of 2022. He joined the Musketeers from the University of Indianapolis where he compiled a 150-56-29 overall record in 12 seasons with the Greyhounds. He now has a 168-61-41 overall record in 13 seasons as a head coach.
• In year one at Xavier, he led the Musketeers to a No. 9 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Poll on Oct. 19 - matching the highest ranking in program history (was also ranked No. 9 on Oct. 28, 2014).
• Higgins also saw two players taken in the MLS SuperDraft 2023 presented by adidas. Xavier had two players taken in the same draft for the first time in program history. Cole Jensen was the 18th overall pick (first round), while Makel Rasheed was taken as the seventh pick in the third round (65th overall). Three player also earned All-BIG EAST honors, highlighted by Jenen who was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year.
• Higgins finished the 2021 fall season ranked fourth in the USC Top-25 Poll after posting an 18-1-3 record and advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Championships. All told, he posted a 31-1-7 record over two seasons in 2021 (spring season due to COVID-19 pandemic).
• The three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference 'Coach of the Year' owns a 7-3-1 (.625) record in NCAA Tournament action and finished GLVC Tournament play with an 18-3-5 (.750) mark. He finished his coaching career at UIndy as the program's all-time leader in wins (150) and winning percentage (.700).
• Higgins led the Greyhounds to a total of six conference championships from 2010-21, including three regular-season titles and three tournament championships. All told, he has made five NCAA Tournaments with two national semifinal appearances.
• The Dunfermline, United Kingdom, native coached 54 All-GLVC selections at UIndy along with seven All-Midwest Region honorees and two All-Americans. Academically, the Greyhounds have earned the USC Team Academic Award in each season under Higgins.
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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS |
• Xavier men's soccer has reached the NCAA Tournament in four of the last 13 seasons. The Musketeers have also won 10 or more matches in seven of the last 13 seasons.
• Xavier was the only program in the nation with five consecutive major conference awards from 2012-16, including 2016 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Cory Brown.
• Xavier has qualified for seven of the last 10 BIG EAST Championships, including trips to the title game in 2014 and 2017.
• Xavier has been ranked in the nation's top-10 four times in the last 10 years by the United Soccer Coaches. The Musketeers have been nationally-ranked in at least one major college soccer poll (United Soccer Coaches, Top Drawer Soccer, College Soccer News, Soccer America) in every season since 2011.
• Xavier was ranked as high as No. 9 on Oct. 19, 2022 - matching the highest ranking in program history (was also ranked No. 9 on Oct. 28, 2014).
• In 2015, Xavier knocked off the national No. 1 (Creighton) and No. 2 (Notre Dame) on the road. 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.
• Six Xavier players have been selected in the MLS SuperDraft in the last 11 years, including Cole Jensen and Makel Rasheed in 2022.
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XAVIER MLS DRAFT HISTORY |
2022 - Cole Jensen - GK - 1st Round (18th) - Inter Miami CF
2022 - Makel Rasheed - D - 3rd Round (65th) - Nashville FC
2018 - Cory Brown - D - 3rd Round (62nd) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2017 - Jalen Brown - MF/F - 2nd Round (38th) - NYC FC
2014 - Nick Hagglund - D - 1st Round (10th) - Toronto FC
2013 - Luke Spencer - F - 1st Round (23rd) - New England Revolution
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2023 PRESEASON COACHES' POLL |
EAST DIVISION
(first-place votes)
1. Georgetown (11) - 66
2. Providence (1) - 56
3. St. John's - 40
4. Seton Hall - 36
5. Connecticut - 24
5. Villanova - 24
MIDWEST DIVISION
(first-place votes)
1. Creighton (8) - 63
2. Butler (2) - 50
3. Akron (2) - 48
4. Xavier - 39
5. Marquette - 29
6. DePaul - 17
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UP NEXT |
• The 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship bracket will be announced on Monday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. The show will be aired on NCAA.com.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerHIGHLIGHTS | Men's Soccer vs DePaul
Saturday, November 08
Men’s Soccer vs DePaul
Friday, November 07
HIGHLIGHTS | Men's Soccer vs No. 23 Akron
Saturday, October 25
HIGHLIGHTS | Men's Soccer vs Butler
Saturday, October 18