Sept. 13, 2011

Box Score

CINCINNATI - The Xavier men's soccer team posted its biggest offensive output in five years and best start in the 35-year program history after beating IPFW, 5-0, Tuesday night at the Xavier University Soccer Complex.

The Musketeers showed no signs off rust as they improved their mark to 3-0-0. Freshman James Weber scored twice, while junior James Queree, redshirt sophomore Tanner Petrick, and junior Luke Spencer also found the net. The Mastodons dropped to 3-4-0 on the season.

Xavier's five-goal victory comes off the heels of a nine-day period between games and is the first since Sept. 16, 2007, when XU beat IUPUI, 5-0, at home. The win also marked the last time XU scored five goals in a game.

In addition to the offensive performance tonight the Musketeers' defense also found their way into the record book. The shutout marks the first time since 2002 that XU has won three games in a row while not allowing a goal.

A crowd of 606 was on hand to witness the Musketeers' victory, which started with Queree's header in the 10th minute. Sophomore Gino Depaoli hit a long corner kick that sophomore Nick Hagglund skied to put back into the box. Queree made quick work off the pass, beating IPFW goalkeeper Brandon Cloutier for his first goal of the season.

Spencer's goal came next as he finished touches from redshirt freshman Will Walker and sophomore Adar Cohen. The Preseason Atlantic 10 All-Conference forward took handle of the ball and went left around Cloutier before tucking it away near post.

Cloutier's biggest save of the night came in the 69th minute, but also led to the Musketeers' third goal. The initial save was made by the freshmen keeper, but wasn't secured giving Petrick the chance to put it in net for the first time in his Xavier career.

Weber, an Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selection, would add the finishing touches of the night scoring the first two goals of his career. He collected a bouncing ball and finished with a booming right foot in the 78th minute. He waited all of six minutes to score his second, as he slipped a shot to the left far post in the 84th minute

Freshman Darin Kruzich assisted both of Weber's tallies. Queree aided the first and freshman Jake Linden assisted the second.

The Musketeers' junior goalkeeper, Justin Marshall, collected the win in net and moved to 3-0-0. His only save of the night came on a direct free kick. Cloutier (0-1-0) was credited with the loss in his first collegiate start and made four saves.

Thirteen fouls were called on bothteams. Xavier led the shots 19-9 and corner kicks 4-2. The Musketeers also had five offsides against zero for IPFW.

Head coach Andy Fleming returns to Chicago this weekend as he leads the Musketeers to play in the Lakeside Classic. Xavier begins the weekend against No. 13 Northern Illinois on Friday. The Musketeers play Sunday against Northwestern, where Fleming was an assistant coach for three years.