CINCINNATI, Ohio – Xavier (6-0-2 overall, 1-0-1 BIG EAST) came up with a pair of second half goals to down Villanova 2-0 Saturday night here at Corcoran Field.
Junior goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev delivered another brilliant performance in net for the Wildcats, making 11 saves on the night. The Musketeers produced a 25-7 edge in shots across the 90 minutes.
Xavier generated four corner kicks across the match's first 10 minutes. Villanova successfully defended each of those attacking moments.
That would be a theme for much of the first 45 minutes.
The Musketeers, with a pre-game RPI ranking of 15, showed their attacking mettle with 12 shots in the first half, including four on frame. Junior goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev was sharp in net, making four saves in the period.
Villanova countered with three shots and one corner to seven for Xavier in the first half.
"We tried to build off what we were able to do in the second half against Drexel," said Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow, referencing a four goal outburst that fueled a 4-2 triumph for the Wildcats on Tuesday at the Higgins Soccer Complex. "But Xavier did a good job of pressing us and we struggled to keep possession."
As the teams headed off the pitch at intermission, the game was level at zero.
"We didn't have a good first half," Fetrow said, "but we were right there at zero with a chance to turn that around in the second half."
Xavier's 13th shot of the night shifted the script. This one came off the foot of Nolan Brice at 47:13 to put the Musketeers on top early in the second period. That score came off a set piece.
In the moments after the goal Xavier earned a pair of set pieces and tested the Wildcats' goalkeeper on both occasions. Yagudayev was equal to the task, making a sprawling save in the 61st minute to keep the margin at one goal.
"Yagu's shot-stopping was outstanding," said Fetrow. "He gave us the chance to get the one to tie it up. We just weren't able to get it done."
The Wildcats' Fynn Lahrrsen had a quality look at the goal in the 54th minute but Jhnny Mennell was in position to collect the ball and keep the Xavier lead at 1-0. In the 60th minute a Jasper Zulman shot from the right side was stopped by Mennell.
Xavier advanced its lead to 2-0 in the 82nd minute when Beckham Williams put home a rebound of an initial shot that had deflected off a Wildcats' defender.
"We committed too many fouls, which makes it tough against Xavier because they are excellent with set pieces," Fetrow stated. "They took advantage on one of those early in the second half and we just had a hard time getting much going on the attack."
The Wildcats are off until Friday when they host their first BIG EAST contest of the campaign when UConn visits the Higgins Soccer Complex (3 p.m./ESPN+).
"We've got to watch the tape and learn from this," said Fetrow. "It's back to basics – limiting  chances in our end and creating opportunities in the final third."
