SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY - Samantha Erbach needed just 117 seconds to write the story of Xavier's dominance at Seton Hall, slotting home a beautifully weighted through ball from Regan Dancer and Peyton Kohls before a crowd of 247 fans at the SHU Soccer Stadium. The early goal propelled the Musketeers to a 5-2 victory, extending their winning streak to four games while continuing Seton Hall's two-match losing skid.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became a one-way contest, with Xavier asserting their dominance from the opening whistle. Erbach's goal was quickly followed by another, as Regan Dancer doubled the lead in the 9th minute, assisted by Emma Flick and Reese Slater. The Musketeers continued to press, and their third goal arrived just before halftime, with Emma Flick finishing clinically off a beautifully orchestrated move involving Elin Hansson and Samantha Erbach in the 45th minute.
As the second half commenced, Xavier wasted no time in further extending their lead. Adria Kitzinger scored her first goal just 10 seconds into the half, capitalizing on a through ball from Ava Lozada. Kitzinger doubled her tally 1:37 later, epitomizing Xavier's ruthless efficiency in front of goal. Erbach added her second of the match in the 50th minute, again assisted by Peyton Kohls, before Natalie Bain pulled one back for Seton Hall in the 52nd minute. Despite the late consolation goal, Xavier's control was evident throughout.
The statistical ledger reveals a stark contrast between the two teams' performances. Xavier outshot Seton Hall 20-4 overall and held a commanding 13-3 advantage in shots on target. The Musketeers also dominated the corner-kick battle, earning 19 opportunities to Seton Hall's zero. Xavier's goalkeeper made just one save all game, while Seton Hall's counterpart was called upon eight times. This disparity in shot creation and conversion encapsulates Xavier's superiority on the day.
Xavier's victory represents more than just three points; it cements their position as conference frontrunners with a 5-0-1 record. Their next challenge comes in the form of St. John's (NY), a test that will determine whether their current momentum can be sustained. For Seton Hall, the loss continues a worrying trend, leaving them 0-4-1 in conference play. Their struggles will be put to the test against DePaul in their upcoming fixture.
The afternoon belonged to Xavier, and specifically to their attacking trio of Erbach, Dancer, and Flick. Their clinical finishing and intelligent movement exposed Seton Hall's defensive vulnerabilities, leaving the Pirates to ponder their next steps in search of a turnaround. As the teams parted ways, it was clear that Xavier's confidence has reached new heights, while Seton Hall must regroup and reassess their strategy to stem the bleeding.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for these two teams. Xavier will look to maintain their winning momentum against St. John's, while Seton Hall will need to rediscover their form against DePaul. The contrast in their fortunes will be a fascinating narrative to follow in the coming weeks.
Key Players:
Samantha Erbach (Xavier) – The forward showed predatory instincts, scoring twice and demonstrating her clinical finishing ability with both goals coming from well-weighted through balls.
Regan Dancer (Xavier) – Orchestrated Xavier's attack with precision, providing the assist for the opening goal and dictating the tempo of the game with intelligent distribution.
Emma Flick (Xavier) – Scored one goal and assisted another, showcasing her versatility and threat in front of goal while constantly finding space to receive passes.
Natalie Bain (Seton Hall) – Scored the Pirates' second consolation goal, providing a glimmer of hope amidst an otherwise difficult afternoon for her team.