Mishawaka, Ind. – Senior goalkeeper
Natalie Dybas (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) stopped all six shots on goal that she faced as the Saint Xavier University women's soccer team (1-0, 0-0 CCAC) opened the 2026 season with a 2-0 triumph over Bethel University (Ind.) Thursday afternoon at Morey Field in Mishawaka, Ind. Senior forward
Alex Jonaitis (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) and sophomore midfielder
Brianna Garcia (Evergreen Park, Ill./Evergreen Park) both scored goals for the Cougars as they posted their first shutout to start a season since a 4-0 victory over University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2023.
- Jonaitis played all 90 minutes, coming away with three shots on goal on three shot attempts.
- Three players making their debut with Saint Xavier, senior midfielder Gema Garibay (Chicago, Ill./Trinity Christian/South Suburban/SIUE/De La Salle), junior midfielder Camila Barragan (Chicago, Ill./Moraine Valley/Hope Academy) and junior forward Karly Harkness (Oak Lawn, Ill./Bethel (Ind.)/Downers Grove North) each finished with a shot on goal while also playing the full time, respectively.
- Garcia played 39 minutes off the bench, finishing with one shot on goal.
- Dybas recorded her 15th career clean sheet, making three saves in the first 15 minutes of action. She would make two more stops in the final minute before halftime, and her final save in the 84th minute.
- Jonaitis found the back of the net in the 16th minute, her 17th career tally, and it would be the game-winner, the sixth of her career with SXU.
- Garcia registered an unassisted goal in the 65th minute for the first goal of her collegiate career.
Saint Xavier (1-0/0-0 CCAC) travels to Marion, Ind. to play No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan University in a non-conference contest on Saturday, August 22. The match is slated for a 12:00 pm central start.
