By Charlie Gainor, Staff Writer

Xavier Women’s Soccer (5-2-1) honored local heroes and first responders last Thursday with a pregame acknowledgement, a halftime ceremony and a decisive 2-0 win over the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs (6-2-1) to extend their unbeaten streak to five straight games.

Accompanied by a standing ovation from the crowd at Corcoran Field, officers from the Cincinnati Fire Department, Norwood Police Department and Xavier University Police Department delivered the game ball and shook hands with the officials. Shortly before kickoff, everyone observed a moment of silence in honor of the 2,977 victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks 24 years ago.

At halftime, the Xavier community welcomed first responders from all around the greater Cincinnati area to be honored on the field for their service. Firefighters, police officers, sheriffs and even a K-9 unit from Norwood, Hyde Park, Mariemont, Lincoln Heights, Covington and more were all honored. Also in attendance was the wife and children of the late Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy Larry Henderson, who was tragically killed in the line of duty last May. Everyone in attendance received a long standing ovation and helped lead the crowd in singing “God Bless America.”

Dean Ward’s squad did their part in honoring the local first responders by putting on yet another dominant performance on their home turf. The Muskies dominated possession from start to finish with relentless attacks into the box; they were rewarded in the 21st minute when sophomore midfielder Chelsea Loeser rocketed a shot out of reach of the Mocs keeper off the bottom of the crossbar and in from five yards out of the box. 

Loeser, who transferred from Southern Utah over the offseason, now has three goals on the season and is now tied for second most goals scored for Xavier.

It did not take long for Xavier to double their lead after the break, as the Musketeers’ first attack of the second half was executed perfectly thanks to forward Elin Hansson sending in a beautiful pass into the box by midfielder Reese Slater. The Muskies’ Swedish sensation has now scored in four straight matches and leads the Big East in goals scored with seven this year. 

“We’ve been waiting for her to kind of ‘blow up,’” Dean Ward said following Hansson’s hat-trick against No. 17 Michigan State. “She’s dangerous in the air, dangerous in front of goal…I’m really, really pleased for her. She’s an awesome kid.”

As Coach Ward has made commonplace in his style of play, the Musketeers dominated on shots with a 25-3 advantage. After starting the season with two straight road losses, Xavier has outshot their opponents 92-22 and outscored them 20-4. Maria Galley had two saves and no goals allowed, putting away Xavier’s third shutout of the year. With conference play on the horizon, the Musketeers decisively lead the Big East in shots and goals scored while also ranking second in total assists.

Xavier will close out non-conference play Wednesday, Sept. 17 as they host the Southeast Missouri RedHawks (0-8) before travelling to Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 20 to take on the DePaul Blue Demons (3-5) in their Big East opener.