Men’s Soccer draws twice

By: Kyle Tooley ~Sports Editor~

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Photo courtesy of Adam Spegele | Matt Vasquenza (above) currently stands third on the team in points with three.

The Xavier men’s soccer team tied in both of its games over the long weekend, playing double- overtime contests against No. 12 Virginia and No. 16/24 Dartmouth. Both games finished with 1-1 final scores, pushing the Musketeers to 1-1-2 on the year.

The contest in Blacksburg, Va. found all the action packed in a short period of time, with both the Musketeers and the Cavaliers scoring second-half goals within four minutes of each other. Junior forward Matt Vasquenza tallied his first goal of the year in the 57th minute, striking from 12 yards out. Virginia evened the score in minute 61 with a goal off a rebound, pushing the game to the eventual 1-1 tie.

The men traveled to Gettler Stadium at the University of Cincinnati to play what was technically a home game against No. 16/24 Dartmouth on Labor Day, finishing the game in a 1-1 tie. Freshman forward Derrick Otim notched his team-leading second goal of 2016, capitalizing off a rebound in the 15th minute. A header off a throw in the 89th minute stunned the Musketeers, as they took the tie despite leading the game in shots on goal and corner kicks.

Xavier is set to battle crosstown rival Cincinnati on Friday, as the Musketeers will look to extend their current winning streak over the Bearcats. Xavier has won four consecutive contests between the two schools.

The contest is set for a 7:30 p.m. start, with the game likely to be relocated because of the ongoing situation with the Xavier Soccer Complex.