The University of Dayton women’s soccer team defeated Xavier University 3-0, Saturday, Oct. 13, at Baujan Field.
With the win, Dayton improved to 4-1 in Atlantic 10 Conference play and 10-4 overall.
Midway through the first half, Dayton junior midfielder Juliana Libertin was fouled in the penalty area for a penalty kick, which Libertin beat Xavier sophomore goalkeeper Katie Markesbery on in the bottom-right corner of the net to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead.
UD’s defense put on a clinic in the first half, allowing no shots on goal and no corner kick opportunities.
Late in the second half with 9:20 left on the clock, senior forward Colleen Williams added on with a shot into the back left corner for a 2-0 lead. The goal was her 13th of the season.
Minutes later, sophomore forward Kelsey Smigel chipped the ball to freshman midfielder Ashley Campbell, who was wide open in the middle of the box and put it away in the bottom-right corner, passing the diving goalkeeper, for her eighth goal of the season to solidify the final three goal margin.
For the game, the Flyers had 14 shots on goal and kicked 10 corner kicks. Meanwhile, Xavier only managed one shot on goal and kicked two corner kicks.
“I thought we were really good,” said UD head coach Mike Tucker. “In most facets of the game, we were really good. Our touch was good. Our decisions were good. The only thing we didn’t do great was finish, and I think we have to give their defenders and
their goalkeeper credit for some of that. But I’d take that kind of performance every game.”
Libertin was also pleased with her team’s performance.
“Today, I felt that we really stepped it up,” she said. “I thought our defense played [phenomenally] … I’m really glad we put away a couple at the end. Overall, I thought we did very well.”
“Xavier is our rival and to beat them, I mean, it’s awesome,” Libertin said.
The Flyers dedicated the game to its self-described twelfth player on the field, Krystal Byrne, who is an eight-year survivor of biphenotypic acute leukemia and a
2012 UD graduate.
Libertin also added that the Flyers made their biggest fan proud by beating Xavier in a dominant fashion.
“We’re always thinking of [Byrne],” she said. “Before every game, we come out and we’re playing for her.”
Prior to the start of the match, Williams was honored as Dayton’s all-time leading scorer. Her goal in the second half was the 54th in her college career.
The next match for the Flyers is against St. Bonaventure University at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, at Baujan Field.
