By: Jack Dunn ~Staff Writer~

The Xavier Women’s soccer team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 1-0 victory over Villanova on Oct. 15, bringing its record to 7-8-1 overall and 1-5 in conference play. It had previously fallen to conference teams Providence, No. 6 Georgetown, Marquette and Seton Hall.

The Musketeers lost 2-1 against the Providence Friars on Sept. 29. The Friars got ahead early, but the Musketeers tied it up with a beautiful cross from junior Kenadie Carlson to sophomore Samantha Dewey, who buried it in the goal. It was the first goal scored against the Friars in 330 minutes of play. The game eventually went into overtime, where the Friars were able to pick up the golden goal to win.

The Xavier offense was limited in the 2-0 home loss against the No. 6 Georgetown Hoyas. The Musketeers kept it close for most of the game, allowing only one goal for the first 87 minutes of play. The Hoyas were able to add another goal for insurance to put the Musketeers away.

Xavier eventually lost 1-0 to the Marquette Golden Eagles on Oct. 6 in what turned out to be a true defensive battle. The Musketeers were able to keep the game scoreless for the first 40 minutes, but the Eagles took the lead five minutes before the half with a goal that just barely hit the underside of the crossbar.

It was all the Golden Eagles needed for the win. Despite giving up one goal, senior keeper Rachel Piccus picked up five saves in the loss.

The Musketeers lost their fourth game in a row 1-0 to the Seton Hall Pirates on Oct. 9. Despite outshooting the Pirates 13-8 on the day, with Carlson leading the team with four shots, the Pirates snuck in a goal in the 76th minute that deflected off a Musketeer defender and went in. The goal made the difference in the contest.

Xavier was able to bounce back from the losing streak with a 1-0 victory over Villanova on Oct. 15. Dewey’s 54th minute goal after stealing the ball from a Villanova defender turned out to be the game winner. It was her seventh game winner of the season and the first goal for the Musketeers since the loss to Providence. Freshman goalie Toni Bizzaro picked up three saves in the second half of the win.

In reward for their efforts in the win over Villanova, Bizzaro and Dewey were named to the Big East freshman and sophomore teams of the week, respectively.

The Musketeers’ next game will be at home on the new turf against the St. John’s Red Storm on Oct. 20.