EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team will welcome Xavier to Arad McCutchan Stadium Saturday at 1 p.m. for its final non-conference title, before opening Missouri Valley Conference play next Sunday.  The Purple Aces will also be conducting a children’s book drive for Riley Hospital for Children at the match.
 
Evansville (1-6-1) ended a four-match losing streak with a 0-0 tie at Southeast Missouri State Tuesday night.  Freshman goalkeeper Simone Busby recorded the first shutout of her career, making a career-high six saves in 110 minutes in net.  Stephanie Thompson led UE on the offensive side of the ball, taking five shots and putting three on goal.
 
Four different players have combined for Evansville’s four goals this season and Abby Springer leads the Purple Aces offensively with three points.  Thompson, Kristen Davis and Kayla Smith have recorded the other three goals for UE, and the trio of Smith, Springer and Thompson have combined for 63 of the Aces 100 shots this season.  In goal, Chaviel Harrison leads the squad with 33 saves in 476 minutes, while Busby has yet to allow a goal in just under 174 minutes between the posts and has tallied 10 saves.
 
Xavier (5-4-0) enters Saturday’s matinee having won four of its last five matches.  The Musketeers started the season 1-3, before recording road wins over IUPUI and Northern Kentucky.  Xavier then suffered a 5-0 loss at Indiana prior to downing Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky on its home pitch. 
 
The Musketeers have spread the wealth offensively, as eight different players have found the back of the net.  Mariah Whitaker leads Xavier with seven points on two goals and three assists, while Margaret Woods is second on the team with five points on a pair of goals and one assist.  Katie Markesbery has been the primary goalkeeper for XU, recording 48 saves and posting a 1.67 goals against average in 806 minutes in net.
 
For the book drive, the Aces will be collecting board books and monetary donations to help purchase books for Ariana’s Book Cart at Riley Hospital for Children.  Due to high risks of infection on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Riley, all donated books must be board books so that they can be properly sanitized.  Donations can be dropped off at Carson Center or at the gate during Saturday’s match.