By Charlie Gainor, Staff Writer

The biggest question for Xavier Women’s Soccer entering this season was how the departure of longtime coach Nate Lie in the offseason would impact the program. Could highly-touted coaching prospect Dean Ward keep the program at its elite level?

The answer came nine minutes into the first game of the season as a three-pass counterattack spanning the length of the field was cashed in by junior striker Regan Dancer for the opening goal, the first punch thrown in a 4-2 beatdown against the reigning Horizon League champion, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ward made a promise early in his tenure saying he was going to win, and that’s exactly what Xavier Women’s Soccer has done to kick off the season.

Ward, the former coach for Division-II powerhouse Lenoir-Rhyne University, inherited the program at its peak with the surprise departure of Coach Nate Lie for the University of Kansas. Under Lie, Xavier won their first Big East Championship in 2019, as well as three regular season championships and four appearances in the NCAA tournament, three of those seven having been in the last three years. 

Having led the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears to 29 wins, back-to-back conference titles and a run to the Elite Eight in his two seasons, Xavier’s new boss is no stranger to making programs elite. 

“I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think we could compete for championships, make the NCAA Tournament and go as far as we possibly can,” Ward said last February. “It’s not an easy place to be by any stretch, but that’s what I want to live on.”

Three matches in, Ward has certainly made the job look as easy as can be. Ranked number 15 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, Xavier is off to a hot 4-0 start with a decisive win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a 3-0 beatdown against the University of Michigan, a 2-1 come-from-behind victory away at Murray State University and a second road win on Sunday against the University of Dayton. In these four matches, Xavier has outshot their opponents 81-24, including 30 shots in the win against Murray State last Thursday.

Kicking off the season, Xavier put their foot on the gas with a relentless offensive push. Within 20 minutes of the first game, a penalty kick by senior midfielder Samanthe Wiehe put Xavier up 2-0. Despite the Panthers responding with a goal, graduate defender Olivia Lawson knocked in a third for Xavier to enter the break up 3-1. A fourth goal in the 73rd minute from sophomore Olivia Baca wrapped up the match, making it the most prolific offensive performance since the Muskies’ 5-1 win over Western Kentucky University last season.

That weekend, the instant offensive impact would strike again against Michigan as Olivia Lawson scored a brace in the first 25 minutes to put Xavier up 2-0. Lawson now has six points on the season, a career- and team- high just two matches in. After a delay due to inclement weather, Regan Dancer wasted no time adding a third before halftime, setting up the final 3-0 score.

“We’re getting better each game,” Swedish forward and Lenoir-Rhyne transfer Elin Hansson said after the game. “We’re getting to know each other on the field and off the field… We managed the game throughout even though there was a delay. Of course it was tricky, but we did great.” Hansson has two points off of two assists in the first two matches of the season.

Xavier dominated much of the game against Michigan before heading to Murray, Kentucky to take on the Racers of Murray State. Though they went down in the first few minutes of the second half, junior striker Emma Flick equalized the Muskies at 1-1 just six minutes later and also scored the game-winner in the 81st minute to secure all three points. The three wins also puts prolific junior goalkeeper Maria Galley to 31 career wins in the net, the most in program history.

On Sunday, the Muskies continued their hot streak against the University of Dayton Flyers, winning 3-0, advancing their record to 4-0. Reagan Dancer scored first for the Muskies midway through the first half, and sophomore forward Olivia Baca gave the team a 2-0 lead heading into halftime. Early in the second half, Emma Flick made the score 3-0 after receiving a setup from Samantha Wiehe to secure them the win. Xavier’s strong defense showed as they only allowed the Flyers four shots on goal, all being saved by Maria Galley.

Xavier continues their road trip heading down to the Appalachians as they take on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga before making the trek up north to play Michigan State University. After a stop at Valparaiso University, Xavier will return home to Corcoran on September 8 to host crosstown foe the University of Cincinnati in the first Crosstown Showdown since 2021.