Women’s soccer beat by Xavier for fourth straight loss
By: Brendan Zdunek–Staff Writer
Another day brought another loss for the Dayton women’s soccer team. The Flyers fell to in-state rival Xavier University 3-1 Friday evening at Baujan Field and now sit at 0-4-0 for the season. Losses to the University of Cincinnati, Ohio University, and Kent State University opened the season for the Flyers.
“It stinks. I mean losing stinks. We’re not used to it and we’re not very good at it — but we’ve earned every one of those losses,” said Coach Mike Tucker.
Those three previous losses all involved early scoring by the team’s opponent and the game against Xavier was no different. At just the 8th minute and on the first shot on goal for Xavier, a header by Ellie Eckerle gave the Musketeers an early 1-0 lead.
However, despite the early letup, the Flyers squad had possession of the ball for most of the first half and created a lot of scoring opportunities for themselves but they just could not convert.
Alexis Kiehl, a junior forward for the Flyers, even had a shot off the post at the 30th minute. The women would finally score in the 64th minute and on their 6th shot on goal thanks to freshman midfielder Madeleine Morrissey.
“I think it was more Meg Blank [who had the assist on the goal]. I felt like I was in the right place and didn’t have to get anything on it,” said Morrissey following the game.
The goal she scored was, in fact, her first collegiate goal and she called the experience “very cool.” However, despite the accomplishment for Morrissey, her score would be the lone one for the Flyers.
Samantha Dewey sealed the game for the Musketeers with a goal in the 83rd minute, the final dagger in the 3-1 defeat for the Flyers.
It was a tough loss for the squad and Coach Tucker says he needs the team to get better now. “We can’t go through this non-conference portion and just expect to turn the switch when we get to the A10 and be better. It’s a matter of trying to get better every time we go out.”
The team has four more games before A10 play begins but now is the time to make a 180 and start playing well again. The women’s next game is against the Boilermakers of Purdue University Sunday at Baujan Field at 1 p.m.
“I think we need to come out harder in the beginning so we can’t let goals in the beginning,” said Morrissey about the next game.
If that is the key to winning against Purdue, it could also be the key to turning around the season for the women and competing for another A10 conference championship.