The Xavier Soccer team struggled this year. The team finished 4-9-3 in a season that was filled with struggle. Even though the team’s record does not show, this year’s team was filled with talent.

Going into the 2015 season, the team was optimistic about their ability to produce. A team led by quad-captains, Zak Gardiner ‘16, Cesar Rivera ‘16, Jason Hoops ‘16, and Joey Zacchia ’16, the team struggled throughout the year to convert on opportunities to score. This Xavier team started off slow, through the first six games, the team went 0-4-2 with tough losses to Hamden, West Haven, and Hand. Defensively, the team felt the effect of goaltender Aidan McCormack ‘16 being sidelined for a majority of the season with a torn meniscus.

Although the season was filled with a large number of losses, the team was able to gather memorable wins throughout the season. One of those wins occurred against Fairfield Prep. All signs looked towards another rough loss, with Fairfield Prep being one of the top teams in the state. However, a different Xavier team came to play that day. The team brought it together and was able to shock the state with late second half goal by Luke Bourne ‘16. Many members of the team believed this to be a turning point in the season. According to midfielder Jack McConville ‘16, “That game showed us how good we could be, coming in they were undefeated and arguably the best team in the state, but we went into that game locked them down and grinded out a win. After that we knew we were able to compete with any team.”

Many hoped this would be the changing point in the season, but that was not the case. The Falcons were only able to gain four more wins on the season. With three games remaining vs. Hand, Fairfield Prep, and Guilford, three of the top teams in the conference, the team needed either to win one game or tie two, but they could not lose if they had only hope in making the playoffs. During the Hand game, Xavier led at halftime 2-0. Unfortunately, it was a game of two halves and Hand came away with the victory 4-3. After a hard fought game vs. Fairfield Prep, the Xavier team came up short losing 2-1 after a spectacular shot by Fairfield Prep in the last two minutes of the game. This game eliminated the team’s hopes of making the state tournament.

With the season coming to an end the Xavier soccer team concluded their season on Wednesday, October 28^th in their final home game. The team was able tie Guilford with the score of 1-1 in a rain soaked contest. According to many members of the team, this season was a disappointing one for them, but they look to put it behind them and start working towards next year.