Despite putting a goal past No. 19 Xavier, the Racers fell 2-1 in the home opener for soccer.
The Racers were put under pressure early as Xavier took shots but weren’t able to slot a goal home past sophomore goalkeeper Griselda Revolorio, who saved six of the Musketeers 11 first half shot attempts. Murray didn’t pressure the goal as much as their opposition, only attempting two shots in the first half. Xavier’s keeper Maria Galley only had to make one save in the first half.
It only took a few minutes for Murray State to break the deadlock as junior forward Sydney Etter, who subbed in for senior Mackenzie Tucker at halftime, scored the opening goal of the game past Galley at the 50th minute mark. Junior forward Mary Hardy played a great pass over the top of the defense to freshman forward Breece Bass who took a shot that went wide of the net and hit the left goalpost. Etter was there to turn in the rebound for a goal.
Despite the opening goal, Murray State was not able to get much of an attack going the rest of the second half. The goal-scoring shot was their only shot attempt for the rest of the game. The Racer lead didn’t last long as Xavier’s Emma Flick scored the leveler for the Musketeers at the 55th minute mark in the half.
Both sides looked as if they would play to a draw, but Revelorio saved six more shot attempts in the second half before Xavier’s Flick scored her second goal of the game and the season to put the Musketeers ahead 2-1 in the 81st minute.
Xavier would control the possession for the rest of the game and not give the Racers a chance to score an equalizer as the referee blew the whistle for full time.
This game would mark the first time in program history that the soccer team has hosted a nationally ranked opponent. No. 19 Xavier moves to 3-0 on the season and Murray State falls to 1-2.
The Racers next match is against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at 1 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The next home match is at 3 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29 against the Austin Peay Governors.
