The freshman forward is now tied with a team-leading five goals scored

By Mo Juenger & Luke Feliciano | Staff Writer & Sports Editor

Xavier men’s soccer team was defeated in its Big East opener, 3-1, last Friday. However, the Musketeers brought home a 1-0 non-conference victory at IUPUI on Tuesday night.

Freshman forward Karsen Henderlong had a solid pair of matches, scoring one goal in each, including the game-deciding tally against the Jaguars.

The Musketeers started the first half strong against the Red Storm with a goal in the 13th minute by Henderlong. Redshirt senior forward Samson Sergi set up Henderlong after a throw-in by redshirt sophomore midfielder Cameron Belle. Both Sergi and Belle picked up assists on the goal.

Henderlong’s goal was his fourth this season, ranking him as the second highest on the team for total goals scored in the 2019 season.

Sergi and Belle both found their first assists of the season, moving both of their career assist totals to five.

The Red Storm ramped up in the second half scoring three goals in thirty minutes. The first, made at the 57th minute, was headed in by Brandon Duarte on a corner kick set piece assist from Niko Petridis.

Later, Petridis scored at the 69th minute and on a breakaway at the 87th minute to put the game out of the Musketeers’ reach. 

Despite three goals scored by St. John’s, redshirt junior goalkeeper Matthew Rosenberg made nine saves during his time on the pitch.

Xavier bounced back in its early-conference hurdle with a win against IUPUI. The Musketeers only needed Henderlong’s lone goal by either team of the match — his fifth of the season in the 5th minute — to secure the victory.

The goal tied Sergi for a team-high five goals on the season. Overall, the Musketeers were efficient shooting the ball, getting six of their 13 shots on goal.

Xavier has dominated the matchup since the two teams first played in 2007. In the last six meetings, Xavier compiled a 5-0-1 record against the Jaguars.

Additionally, the Musketeers have yet to lose against IUPUI on the road despite tying them once.

The defensive saw improvement Tuesday night as the unit didn’t let IUPUI get a single shot on target.

With the win against IUPUI, Xfavier bumped its overall record up to 4-2-1. The Musketeers next non-conference game will come against Western Michigan on Oct. 1 before they get into the thick of Big East play against on Oct. 4 on the road against Villanova.