THE BASICS:

Score: Holy Cross 2, Hartford 1 
Records: Holy Cross (1-0-0); Hartford (0-1-0)
Location: Worcester, Mass. (Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium at the Luth Athletic Complex)
Date: Friday, Aug. 26, 2016
Time: 7:05 p.m.
The Lead: With the game tied at 1-1 in the 84th minute, senior Matt Villano scored the game-winning goal as the Holy Cross men's soccer team defeated Hartford, 2-1, on Friday night at the Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium at the Luth Athletic Complex in the season opener for both teams.

HIGHLIGHTS & POSTGAME INTERVIEW:

Go here to see highlights and hear what Matt Villano had to say about the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders earned the first scoring opportunity of the contest when senior Joseph Metzger fired a free kick from 25 yards out that just went wide of the right post.
• Junior Arno Rupp posted the first shot on goal of the game in the 35th minute with an attempt from 20 yards out, but David MacKinnon was able to make the save.
• In the 39th minute (38:57), the Hawks took a 1-0 lead when Bastian Stech controlled the ball in the box and sent a shot from eight yards out to the lower right corner of the net.
• The Crusaders barely missed tying the game in the 51st minute when a shot by Metzger hit the post.
• In the 57th minute (56:20), the Crusaders tied the contest at 1-1 when Villano sent a long pass to junior Nicholas Cestaro, who headed the ball to the lower left side of the net.

• Sophomore Owen Azrak also posted an assist on the goal.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Henry Stutz made a big save in the 81st minute as he knocked a shot by Kelechi Akujobi over the crossbar to keep the game tied at 1-1.
• Then in the 84th minute (83:23), Villano fired a one-timer off a pass from Tyler Bell to the lower left corner of the net to give the Crusaders a 2-1 advantage. Metzger also tallied an assist on the goal.
• Stutz then made two big saves to keep the Hawks from scoring the equalizer as the Crusaders earned the 2-1 victory.

KOOLMAN'S KORNER:

• "I am happy with our performance tonight and it is great to get a win in the first game of the season," said Holy Cross head coach Marco Koolman. "We excelled in building out of the back and we earned a lot of scoring opportunities. After going down 1-0 we responded very well by scoring two goals to earn the victory."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:                                                                            

• Stutz made three saves to earn the victory, as MacKinnon also totaled three saves for the Hawks.
• Holy Cross outshot the Hawks, 15-11, while the Crusaders had five shots on goal and the Hawks had four.
• The Crusaders took six corner kicks and the Hawks had five.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Villano's goal was his first collegiate game-winner. This is also his first collegiate multiple-point game.
• Metzger and Bell each posted their first collegiate point.
• Stutz earned his first collegiate victory tonight.
• The last time the Crusaders started off the season with a win was on Aug. 29, 2008, with a 1-0 victory versus No. 13 UMass.
• The Crusaders' last win over the Hawks was a 1-0 victory on Oct. 22, 2002.

 UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Friday, Sept. 2, when they play at Providence at 7:00 p.m.

KEEP CONNECTED:

• There are numerous ways to stay connected with the Holy Cross men's soccer team. Follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCrossMSoccer, on Facebook You can also get the latest news and results on the team sent directly to your e-mail. To sign up for e-mail alerts go here.