Nov. 17, 2011

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Xavier's second trip to the NCAA Tournament saw a more composed effort and a late equalizer, but unfortunately ended in heartbreak as West Virginia scored a goal late in the first overtime period Thursday night at Dick Dlesk Stadium.

The Musketeers' best season in program history finishes with a 12-5-4 overall record, including a penalty kick shootout win, and second-straight Atlantic 10 Championship and berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Mountaineers improve to 11-7-1 and advance to face No. 6 Maryland on Sunday.

"Obviously, with any emotional, season ending loss, you have a wide range of thoughts," head coach Andy Fleming said. "I honestly don't think we were even close to our true form until the 60th minute or so, and once we got our rhythm, we scored a goal and created a few other great looks."

"With that being said, we dodged bullets and made some gutsy plays on the goal line to keep it at 1-0. Credit West Virginia, they didn't have their best night either but they fought back and move on."

It was the second NCAA First Round loss to West Virginia in as many years, with last year's tilt favoring the Mountaineers, 4-2.

"I'd like to thank our staff, our parents, the players and especially our three seniors. This was a young team and to return to the NCAAs with another title is a special thing," Fleming said. "However, many of our underclassmen have a bit of an empty feeling tonight and I think we will use that to fuel our fire as we continue to build the pedigree of our program. We are no longer just happy to be here and will be back."

Momentum was held by Xavier much of the second half after giving up a goal in snowy conditions to the Mountaineers in the first half. The Musketeers kept creating attacks on the counter and finally struck in the 85th minute as sophomore Gino Depaoli fired from the far side.

A group of Musketeers, led by sophomore Matt Walker, quickly turned on the Mountaineers' defense and raced up the field sending the ball wide to junior Luke Spencer. His crossing pass was dropped off by sophomore Nick Hagglund to DePaoli for his sixth goal of the season.

His goal equaled the score at 1-1 and set up Xavier's sixth overtime in seven matches.

Despite being outshot in the period Xavier pushed the ball up and field but were unable to find any openings to let a shot fly.

Spencer had the Musketeers' only shot in the overtime period putting a hard struck shot that West Virginia goalkeeper Pat Eavenson had to make a diving save on.

West Virginia benefited from a foul setting up the eventual game-winning goal in the 99th minute. The Mountaineers' Allan Flott took the kick from outside the corner of the 18-yard box and Eric Schoenle put a head on the ball and had it hit the inside of the post and roll in.

The Mountaineers first goal came on a failed clearance in the 39th minute of the match. Uwem Etuk crossed a pass to Jay Williams who slotted it past Xavier goalkeeper Justin Marshall.

Marshall (9-4-3) had a strong game in goal, coming up with five saves and also saw his teammate junior James Queree also stop a shot. Eavenson (5-3-0) took the win making four saves.

West Virginia held the shot advantage, 18-9, and shots on goal, 8-5. Corner kicks (7-3) were also in favor of the Mountaineers.

Xavier's best season included numerous program first and records. Among the notable marks were the first back-to-back winning seasons in the program's 38-year history. The defense established a new mark for goals allowed (19) and had the lowest goals against average (0.85) as well.

The Musketeers also totaled the highest winning percentage (.667) and equaled the school's mark for wins in a season (12).

Xavier Musketeers Men's Soccer

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