Shannon Russell

srussell@enquirer.com

Xavier's men's soccer team starts its four-game spring exhibition home schedule by hosting new professional soccer franchise FC Cincinnati.

FC Cincinnati, competing in its first season in United Soccer League, visits XU Soccer Complex March 18 at 7 p.m. Andy Fleming's Musketeers also host Saint Louis, Cedarville and Michigan State.

The spring game against the Spartans is the fifth annual Down Syndrome Awareness Spring Classic. Proceeds from "Devin's Game," named for Fleming's daughter, benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati's annual Buddy Walk.

Xavier's lone exhibition away from campus is Feb. 21 at Indiana.

"Like we've been able to do in each of the past few years, we will once again play a very challenging spring slate as we look to get our program back to the into the NCAA tournament. The schedule presents college soccer's marquee program in Indiana, along with national mainstays in Saint Louis and Michigan State. Cedarville has become a highly-contested, tightly-played annual spring game for us and is a perennial NCAA tournament team," Fleming said.

"Most importantly, we will face FC Cincinnati in one of its first games as the team begins to prepare for an inaugural season as our city's professional soccer side. They have done a remarkable job of putting a team together and we are excited to showcase each of our teams to the community on a Friday night. Add in our annual edition of Devin's Game and I think there's a lot to be excited about as a fan and loads of challenges ahead for our players."

XAVIER SOCCER SPRING EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

Feb. 21, 2016 – at Indiana – 1 p.m.

March 18, 2016 – vs. FC Cincinnati – 7 p.m.

April 2, 2016 – vs. Saint Louis – 3 p.m.

April 8, 2016 – vs. Cedarville – 7 p.m.

April 23, 2016 – vs. Michigan State (Devin's Game) – 7:30 p.m.