Xavier University
13-3-4, 7-0-3
Villanova (BIG EAST Championship)
14-1-5, 7-1-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villanova | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Xavier | 0 | 1 | 1 |
11.14.26 | Women's Soccer
Musketeers learn NCAA draw during Selection Show, set for Monday at 4:00 p.m.
BOYDS, Md. - No. 25 Xavier women's soccer, the top seed in the BIG EAST Tournament, fell to No. 2 seed Villanova, 2-1, in the BIG EAST title match on Saturday evening at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Xavier moved to 13-3-4 on the season with the setback, ending the Musketeers' unbeaten streak at program record-matching 15 games.
Villanova struck early, with Morgan Kotch scoring to give VU 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. The Musketeers had nine shots to five for the Wildcats in the first half, with three looks going on-frame, but were unable to find the equalizer before the break. Kieran Bradley led the Musketeers with three first half shots.
The Wildcats held the 1-0 lead into the final 30 minutes of the match before a shot from Bradley was saved, rebounding to McKinley Berry who scored the equalizer, making it a 1-1 draw in the 63rd minute.
Villanova moved back in front less than 10 minutes later, with VU's Amalia Cardo knocking the ball in off a Xavier defender to put Villanova in front, 2-1, in the 70th minute.
Xavier finished with a 20-8 advantage on shots overall, with 10 going on frame compared to five for the Wildcats, but the Musketeers were unable to find a second goal, setting the final score at 2-1 in favor of the Wildcats.
The Musketeers now await NCAA Tournament seeding, announced on during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 16, at 4:00 p.m. on NCAA.com.
4' | NOVA | VU's Morgan Kotch score from Amalia Cardo to take a 1-0 lead
63' | XAVIER | Kieran Bradley shot from the right side of the box, with the VU goalkeeper's save bouncing to McKinley Berry, who shot from near the PK spot to even the score at 1-1.
70' | NOVA | On a free kick, VU Amalia Cardo's service bounced off a XU player and in the goal for the 2-1 lead.
- McKinley Berry's goal was her third of the season. Combined with an assist, she has seven points on the year.
- Kieran Bradley's assist on Berry's goal was her third of the season. Combined with four goals, she has 11 points.
- Xavier finished with 20 shots, a season-high allowed by the Wildcat defense, with Regan Dancer leading the Musketeers with five and Peyton Kohls posting four, both playing the full 90 minutes for the Musketeers.
- The Musketeers' 10 shots on-goal were also the most allowed by Villanova this season, with McKinley Berry getting three looks on frame to lead Xavier. VU's goalkeeper, Hannah Dickinson, made a season-high eight saves.
- Nastassja Garrett, Breanna Dardano, Elizabeth Powell, McKinley Berry and Brooklynn Miltenberger each played the full 90 minutes to help limit the Wildcats to five shots on-goal.
- Taylor Thomas finished with three saves in 90 minutes of action in-goal.
- The setback ended Xavier's unbeaten streak at 15 games, matching the program record set in 2025.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Morgan Kotch (8)
Assisted By: Amalia Cardo
GOAL by VIL Kotch, Morgan Assist by Cardo, Amalia.
03:21
McKinley Berry (3)
Assisted By: Kieran Bradley
GOAL by XAV Berry, McKinley Assist by Bradley, Kieran.
62:27
Amalia Cardo (6)
GOAL by VIL Cardo, Amalia.
69:54