CINCINNATI --- The Xavier Muskeeteer women’s soccer team won its fifth straight match with a 3-0 win over visiting St. Joseph’s today at Corcoran Field. The win, XU’s second straight shutout victory, raised Xavier’s record to 6-3 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, which puts the Musketeers in a tie for third place with Richmond and La Salle in the A-10 standings. The top four teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference race earn spots in the Atlantic 10 Tournament November 9-11 in Rhode Island.

The Musketeers are now 8-7 overall, while St. Joseph’s fell to 2-5-2 in the Atlantic 10 and 5-8-2 overall.

While Xavier honored its seniors during pre-game “Senior Day” festivities, it was a sophomore that stole the spotlight during the game. Sophomore Nicole Giesting (Cincinnati/McAuley) tied the school record with three assists in the game, all of which came as a result of flip throw-ins. Jenny Tombragel (3 versus Detroit in 1994) and Jodi Garrison (3 versus Evansville in 1993) share the record.

Xavier scored the game’s first goal just 2:16 into the match as Giesting flipped the ball right in front of the goal for sophomore Tracy Veith (Cincinnati/St. Ursula), who finished it off for her third goal in the last four matches.

Xavier scored again at the 27:24 mark off a flip throw-in from Giesting, who sent the ball to the head of freshman Melissa Clavier (Cincinnati/Mercy), who placed it in perfect position for senior Lauren Garber (Cincinnati/Sycamore) to punch home the goal. Both Clavier and Giesting were credited with assists on the play.

Xavier scored its third goal and what proved to be the final goal of the afternoon at 37:33 off another flip throw-in from Giesting, who hit sophomore Lindsay Yonadi (Boca Raton, FL/Spanish River) with a perfect pass that Yonadi finished off for her first goal of the season.

Xavier junior goalkeeper Megan Veith (Cincinnati St. Ursula) shared the shutout today with freshman goalkeeper Andrea Garber (Brecksville, OH/Brecksville) and senior Margaret Broe (Cincinnati/St. Ursula), who got a chance to play in goal for the final 1:20 and log time at the only position she hadn’t played in her Xavier career. Veith had two saves on the day in 67 minutes, while Garber had two in 22 minutes.

Today was the final home game for senior players Liz Singer (Cincinnati/Roger Bacon), Margaret Broe (Cincinnati/St. Ursula), Lauren Garber (Cincinnati/ Sycamore) and Megan Hosty (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise Valley) and senior manager Elizabeth Mandlehr (Louisville, KY/Mercy Academy).

Xavier closes the regular season with matches at Rhode Island on Friday and at UMass next Sunday.

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