Freshman Noah Boffo tallies a goal and an assist in win over UNC Asheville

By Joe Clark | Staff Writer

Xavier men’s soccer picked up a 4-0 win last Tuesday at home against UNC Asheville on the strength of two assists by senior forward Derrick Otim.

On Saturday, the Musketeers celebrated their seniors at the XU Soccer Complex but failed to get the win, falling 2-1 to Providence.

Xavier got on the board early and often against UNC Asheville. Redshirt senior Samson Sergi put the Musketeers up 1-0 off a pass from freshman forward Noah Boffo.

Freshman forward Karsen Henderlong quickly followed suit with a goal in the 22nd minute that was assisted by redshirt senior defender Jacob Goodall.

The Musketeers held onto the 2-0 lead until the 57th minute when Boffo got a goal of his own for his third point of the night and second goal of the season.

Boffo’s goal came off a deflected shot from Otim, who picked up his second assist in the 70th when redshirt sophomore Taylor Crull found the back of the net off his corner kick.

That goal would be the final tally of the game, as the Musketeers picked up their eighth win of the season. Xavier got a clean sheet from redshirt junior goaltender Matthew Rosenberg through the first 65 minutes, while redshirt sophomore Eddie Walsh finished off the next 25 minutes, picking up a save in his first action of the season.

Xavier led early on Saturday against the Friars.Sergi scored his ninth goal of the year in the 34th minute off a feed from Goodall. At the half, the Musketeers remained up 1-0, marking their 15th game this season they didn’t allow a goal in the first half.

Xavier held steady at 1-0 until the last 10 minutes of the match. Providence scored in the 81st minute on a goal from Paulo Lima, whose shot hit off the top of the goal post before going in.

Seven minutes later, redshirt senior Joao Serrano found sophomore Ramzi Qawasamy, whose header from inside the box gave the Friars a 2-1 lead and ended up being the game-winning goal.

Xavier received another solid performance from Rosenberg, who made five saves for the Musketeers. Xavier only mustered two shots on goal and were outshot 19-3 by Providence. The loss dropped Xavier to 8-7-1 and 3-5 in Big East play.

Xavier closes out the regular season Wednesday on the road against Butler.