HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Xavier women's soccer team took another step toward Pensacola Wednesday night, defeating Campbellsville 2-1 in the opening round of the NAIA national tournament. 

XULA (12-2-4) has won an opening-round game in each of its three years of existence, and now will face the same second-round opponent for the third time in as many years. 

The William Carey Crusaders, 19-1 and the nation's top-ranked team, will host the Gold Rush Saturday at 1 p.m. with a trip to Florida's Panhandle and the NAIA National Tournament on the line. Live stats for the match will be provided here, and the match will stream live on the Urban Edge Network. 

Xavier is 0-4 all-time against William Carey, including losses in the 2023 and 2024 second round. 

Wednesday, though, all of the Gold Nuggets' attention was on the Tigers (11-9-0), who played XULA to a scoreless draw at the half. 

Gold Nugget scoring sensation Samira Roper connected on her 26th goal of the season in the 51st minute to give Xavier a 1-0 lead. Keira Hardstaff provided the assist. 

Campbellsville answered in the 69th minute with a goal from Fiona Jolly, but Xavier's Crislyn Gregory finished off a pass from Anita Roese in the 83rd minute to secure the win.