By Katy Korstange, Sports Editor  

Xavier women’s soccer held off a late push from Indiana to secure a 3-2 victory Wednesday night at Corcoran Field in the Musketeer’s annual ribbon game.  

Xavier’s momentum started early as they took the lead in the beginning of the first half. Junior forward, Peyton Kohls, scored in the seventh minute with an assist from junior defensive midfielder, Breanna Dardano. This was Kohls’s first goal of the season. The Musketeers led 1-0.  

Shortly after in the 17^th minute, sophomore defender, Brooklyn O’Brien, scored into the top corner for the Musketeers from freshman forward, Maria Tapia.  

Throughout the half, Indiana had multiple shots on goal which all were saved by junior keeper Taylor Thomas. Thomas played the whole 90 minutes and earned a career high five assists with two goals against.  

The first half ended 2-0 with the Musketeers still in the lead.  

The second half began with a goal from sophomore forward, Sarah Parker in the 56^th minute. Kohls sent the ball from the right of the field to Parker, who shot into the lower left corner for the 3-0 lead. This was Parker’s first goal of the season.  

Late in the second half, Indiana’s Maggie Ledwith scored in the 88^th minute to get the Hoosiers on board making the score 3-1.  

Quickly after, with seconds left on the clock, Grace Hamm scored Indiana’s second goal in the 89^th minute. The Musketeers were still in the lead 3-2.  

Indiana was unable to score the equalizer and Xavier took the win. As a result, the Musketeers are on a two-game winning streak since their game against Miami University of Ohio on Aug. 16^th.  

In addition to winning the game, the players were also supporting various causes symbolized by a ribbon of their choice. 

“I chose green because I’ve been an athlete my whole life. I’ve seen student athletes and other people struggle with their mental health and it pains me to know that people are doing this alone. I think we need more resources for student athletes in general,” freshman forward Frances Reuland said in an interview on Xavier University’s Instagram.  
Many others of her teammates also picked green to symbolize mental health.  

These ribbons help the players get a chance to show the fans what they care about and what drives them on and off the field.  

“I chose pink because there have been a lot of people in my life who have been affected by it [breast cancer] and it is something that I am very passionate about,” junior forward Alivia Stott said in an interview on Xavier University’s Instagram.  

In addition to breast cancer, other players wore ribbons in support of different types of cancer. Each of their choices had meaning and a story behind them.  

The Musketeers play next at Vanderbilt on Sunday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. EST.