By: Danny O’Malley
The hot streak of the Xavier women’s soccer team came to an end last week as the team fell 2-0 to St. John’s and 7-1 against Georgetown in its first conference games, putting the Musketeers at a 7-3-1 record.
During the game against St. John’s, the squad was able to get off a total of six shots, including three on goal.
Freshman forward Tori Doss recorded two, senior midfielder Mariah Whitaker recorded three and senior forward Ashton Green notched one shot.
Junior keeper Katie Markesbery had six saves and allowed two goals.
While Xavier’s defense has been stout this season, it allowed 23 shots in the game.
St. John’s first goal of the match came from a penalty shot in the 31st minute, while the second came in the 62nd minute.
“The thing we talked about before the game is that in the Big East really good teams make you pay for mistakes,” head coach Woody Sherwood said.
“We had a couple of big mistakes tonight and St. John’s made us pay.”
In the second game, the team played a good No. 10 ranked Georgetown squad.
Georgetown scored its first goal in the 33rd minute and then went on a tear, scoring three more consecutive goals.
Xavier eventually stopped the run when senior defender Sydnee Fields found sophomore forward Erin McGauley at the top of the box for the Musketeers’ only goal of the game.
Georgetown showed off its superior skill, scoring a total of seven goals, compiling five assists and showing its quick trigger by attempting 40 shots in the match.
“We knew we were going to get some answers on this road trip on what it will take to compete in the top half of this conference,” Sherwood said.
Next, the team has three home games against Villanova, Marquette and Seton Hall on Oct. 3, Oct. 6 and Oct. 12, respectively.
