HATTIESBURG, Miss. — For the second straight game, Xavier University of Louisiana men's soccer won by shutout and allowed one shot on goal against an NAIA top-10 opponent.
        XULA won 4-0 Wednesday evening at No. 8 William Carey, approximately 11 hours after the Gold Rush surged to the doorstep of the coaches poll, four points from the top 25.
        Three second-half goals allowed the Gold Rush (3-0-1) to pull away and give the Crusaders (1-2-1) their first home defeat since 2023.
        Season goal leader Iman Ouedraogo scored the first two: in the 37th and 52nd minutes. Guilherme Domingues assisted on the first goal, and Antonio Merola assisted on the second.
        XULA made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute when Merola scored with an assist from Ouedraogo. John Orgah scored in the final minute with an assist from Nilson Zavala.
        "What a performance from the boys. A 4–0 win on the road against William Carey — our second straight game against a top-10 opponent and another clean sheet," first-year XULA head coach Lucas Cordeiro said. "The team is working together extremely well defensively, staying organized and not allowing the opponent to create many chances. This was also our first-ever win at Carey, which makes it even more special. Huge credit to the group for the focus, discipline and togetherness they showed from start to finish. It's a big step forward for our program."
        Goalkeeper Breno Zanolla worked his 20th career shutout for the Gold Rush. His save was on Rico Duggan's shot in the second minute. XULA blocked six of William Carey's eight other shots.
        Weather at kickoff (7 p.m. CDT): fair skies, 84 degrees, heat index 90, humidity 67 percent, wind calm.
        The Gold Rush will travel to Daphne, Ala., for a 4 p.m. Sunday neutral-site kickoff against Faulkner. Venue will be Fairhope Soccer Complex.