Xavier University Athletics
Tuesday, September 23
Highland Heights, Ky.
7 p.m.
Xavier University
3-2-2, 0-0-1
2
at
1
Northern Kentucky
2-4-2, 0-1-1
1
2
F
Xavier
1
1
2
Northern Ky.
0
1
1
Forcellini, Musketeers Top Northern Kentucky on Tuesday Night
09.23.25 | Men's Soccer
Cooper Forcellini scored both goals in the 2-1 win over the Norse
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Cooper Forcellini scored two goals on Tuesday night, leading the Musketeers to a 2-1 win at Northern Kentucky at Scudamore Stadium.
The Musketeers improved to 3-2-2, while the Norse dropped to 2-4-2.
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29' | XU |Â Cooper Forcellini (Ekene Okeke)
59' | XU |Â Cooper Forcellini (Penalty Kick)
89' | NKU |Â Steven Boaghe Braniste (Carlos Merce)
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2025 Men's Soccer at Northern Kentucky by Xavier Musketeers on Exposure
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The Musketeers improved to 3-2-2, while the Norse dropped to 2-4-2.
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SCORING RECAP
29' | XU |Â Cooper Forcellini (Ekene Okeke)
59' | XU |Â Cooper Forcellini (Penalty Kick)
89' | NKU |Â Steven Boaghe Braniste (Carlos Merce)
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NOTABLES
- Cooper Forcellini has now scored in five of the Musketeers seven matches, including two matches with two goals (Sept. 10 at Evansville; Sept. 23 at Northern Kentucky). He is now 3-for-3 on the year in penalty kicks. Forcellini has a team-high seven goals on the year and increased his career points total to 24 (10 goals, four assists).
- Senior Ekene Okeke made his sixth career start on Tuesday night (20 career total matches played). The defender recorded his first career assist.
- Gabriel Kuffel (2-0-1) allowed one goal in 90 minutes of action. He has a 0.67 goals against average in three matches this season with 11 saves and one shutout.
- Xavier took one more shot (10-9) than the Norse, including a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal. Northern Kentucky took three more corner kicks (4-1) than the Musketeers and committed seven more fouls (18-11).
- Fabrizio Bernal de la Garza led the Musketeers in shots with three. Cooper Forcellini and Nathan Trickett both added two shots.
- Xavier moved to 5-0-1 all-time vs the Norse.
UP NEXT
- Xavier returns to conference play on Saturday, Sept. 27 vs Providence. First touch is set for 6:30Â p.m. from Corcoran Field.
INTERVIEWS
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PHOTOS
2025 Men's Soccer at Northern Kentucky by Xavier Musketeers on Exposure
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Team Stats
XAV
NKU
Goals
2
1
Shots
10
9
Shots on Goal
7
1
Saves
0
5
Corners
1
4
Fouls
11
18
Scoring Plays
Cooper Forcellini (6)
Assisted By: Ekene Okeke
GOAL by XAV Forcellini, Cooper Assist by Okeke, Ekene.
28:41
Cooper Forcellini (6)
XAV Cooper Forcellini PENALTY KICK GOAL.
58:49
Steven Boaghe Braniste (1)
Assisted By: Carlos Merce
GOAL by NKU Boaghe Braniste, Steven Assist by Merce, Carlos.
89:08
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's SoccerMF
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GK
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/ Men's SoccerMF
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