HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Xavier University of Louisiana women's soccer is 2-for-2 in the opening round of NAIA nationals.
        The second-year program advanced again Thursday with a 1-0 victory against Mid-America Christian at William Carey University's Danny Owens Field.
        The Gold Nuggets' second-round opponent will be the same as last season: William Carey, ranked third in the most recent coaches poll and seeded second in the tournament. XULA (14-5-2) and the Lady Crusaders (18-1-1) will meet at 1 p.m. CST Saturday at Carey, and the winner will advance to the NAIA final site — 16 survivors — Dec. 2-9 at Pensacola, Fla.
        XULA and MACU (14-4-2) were scoreless at halftime, then Luci Schroeder in the 47th minute nailed a 24-yard shot inside the right post for the only goal. Goalkeeper Theresa Wiesiolek (12-4-2) made two saves in her sixth shutout of the season and the Gold Nuggets' 10th.
        "The ladies showed a lot of grit and hard work to get this win," XULA head coach Ashley Cordeiro said. "Huge credit to MACU, they are a tough team to go up against, and they keep the intensity up the full 90 minutes. We are enjoying and celebrating this win tonight, then it's full focus on competing against William Carey on Saturday."
        William Carey eliminated XULA 2-0 a year ago, and the Lady Crusaders won 5-1 at Carey to open both teams' 2024 regular season.