By Ben Jenkins, Podcast Manager

A late brace from Jose Pedro kept the Musketeers undefeated through the first four games of the 2026 campaign. 

Xavier needed nearly 78 minutes to break through the Bowling Green defense. The Musketeers struggled early to generate chances, as did the Falcons.

Neither team dominated the first half. Both sides did not possess much of the ball, opting to try and win via the counterattack.

The second half saw a switch in mentality from the Musketeers. They managed to keep the ball from Bowling Green much more than in the first 45 minutes of the match.

During the second half Xavier out shot the Falcons 12-3, showing they were the better side. Ely Detty led the Musketeers with three shots, with Pedro and Alejandro Silverstrini adding two shots apiece.

It was in the 78th minute that the attack finally paid off when Pedro slotted one past Bowling Green goalkeeper Enzo Gil.

This goal was the first of Pedro’s career as a Musketeer, in just his fourth game since transferring from Akron.

Xavier managed to defend for the next 12 minutes of the game before finding the back of the net in the 90th. This goal came with just three seconds left, the latest goal by a Musketeer since 2022.

Once again it was Pedro, his first multi goal game of the sophomore’s collegiate career. Gerard Lorente created the chance for the Musketeers coming away with the assist.

Senior goalkeeper Jonny Mennell finished with two saves and his second shutout of the season, adding to his own career clean sheet record, now sitting at 21.

“I think we all would agree the first half wasn’t our best, but to be able to stay in the game and pull out a win is a great sign for the season.” Sophomore team manager Zach Grzesiak said.

It is partly due to this mentality that the Musketeers are sitting undefeated four games into the year. With wins now over Bowling Green, Purdue Fort-Wayne, Northwestern and a draw versus Bellarmine, Xavier is off to their best start since 2022.

That 2022 season saw the Musketeers finish the regular season undefeated and capped it off with a Big East tournament championship.

While still very early in the year, the Musketeers have begun to show similarities to the 2022 championship team. Xavier has shown the ability to win in many ways through its four matches.

This will be crucial when Big East play comes around. They will face adversity in the late season bouts, but if they can continue to fight to stay in games, much success is to come.

They will look to carry this momentum into their next game. They will travel to the twin cities to take on the St. Thomas Tommies. Following the trip up north, the Muskies will stay on the road for their first conference game of the season in Chicago against the Blue Devils of DePaul University.

The upcoming stretch will give Xavier the opportunity to prove whether their early success can carry over down the stretch of the season.