By: Andrew Utz ~Guest Writer~

The Xavier men’s club soccer team opened its season with two matches against the Kent State University Golden Flashes and the University of Toledo Rockets at Xavier University Soccer Complex.

In the first game against Kent State, the Musketeers emerged victorious in front of a large crowd 3-1.

Despite its previous victory, the team looked sluggish against Toledo and fell 2-1.
Edmund Nyarko opened up the Musketeers’ first game with a goal in the second minute.
The Muskies struck again with Chris Nartker chipping the goalkeeper in the 23rd minute. Nartker struck again two minutes later with Danny Gonzalez assisting the goal.
Despite its lead, Xavier gave up many scoring opportunities to the visiting team.
The Kent State team penetrated the Xavier defense with crosses and set pieces from Xavier fouls.

The defense kept the visitors from scoring for the rest of the first half.
Tensions grew in the second half after a hard Kent State tackle in front of the Xavier bench. The Xavier free kick was unsuccessful, and neither team could make significant headway.
The game continued to be back and forth until the referee blew the whistle for full time with Xavier winning 3-1.

The Musketeers had a small break before kick off against the Toledo Rockets.
After only 10 minutes, the weary home team gave up a goal from a fast break.
The Musketeers quickly had an opportunity for an equalizing goal, but the shot skidded out of play. Toledo controlled the ball through midfield and in their own half but could not successfully penetrate the Xavier defense.

The Musketeers evened the score after a break away run at the goal by Nartker 15 minutes after the first goal.

The tie was short lived, as Toledo scored again in the 28th minute from a corner kick.
The Musketeers’ attempts were numerous, but none connected to tie the game as they fell 2-1.
The club team will look for more success when they play the University of Cincinnati at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10.