THE BASICS:

Score: Holy Cross 2, Quinnipiac 1

Records: Holy Cross (4-2-0); Quinnipiac (3-4-0)

Location: Worcester, Mass. (Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium at the Luth Athletic Complex)

Date: Saturday, September 17, 2016

Time: 7:35 p.m.

The Lead: Junior Arno Rupp scored the game-winning penalty kick goal with 1:39 left in the second half as the Holy Cross men's soccer team defeated Quinnipiac, 2-1.

 HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the 19th minute, Bobcat goalie Chrysostomos Iakovidis made a diving save to the right side of the net to stop junior Eric Dixon's shot from 22 yards out. 
• Senior Matt Villano scored the first goal of the game in the 36th minute (35:24). Dixon sent a free kick from 20 yards out to Villano who knocked in a shot to the bottom corner of the net from five yards out for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.
• Quinnipiac tied the game, 1-1, shortly after in the 38th minute (37:40) when senior James Doig fired the ball from 30 yards out to the right middle side of the net past the hands of Holy Cross goalie Henry Stutz. 
• In the 68th minute, a hand ball was called on a Quinnipiac player in the box. Junior Yuji Callahan was unable to find the back of the net on the penalty kick. 
• With 1:39 left in the second half, a second hand ball was called on Quinnipiac in the box. Rupp scored his second goal of the season when he converted the penalty kick to the right side of the net. The ball deflected off Iakovidis to give the Crusaders the 2-1 win.

 KOOLMAN'S KORNER:

• “I have to give our team credit,” said Holy Cross head coach Marco Koolman. “We just keep going and going. The players keep working and they keep sticking together. Arno did very well to put the ball in the back of the net on the penalty kick. I think we needed a little bit more composure in the second half, but again that's another thing we learned and we have to work on. But this was a great win and I look forward to keeping our momentum going.”

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Stutz made four saves, while Iakovidis recorded five.
• The Crusaders outshot the Bobcats 14-9. Holy Cross had seven shots on goal and Quinnipiac had five.    

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Crusaders are 4-0-0 at home so far this season, which is their best start at home in 14 years as they were also 4-0-0 in 2002.
• Holy Cross' 4-2-0 record is its best to start the season in eight years when the Crusaders were 4-1-1 in 2008.
• The Crusaders' 13 goals are their most to start a season since 2006 when the team also posted 13 goals.
• This is the Crusaders third win in a row against the Bobcats and Holy Cross is 8-5-1 all-time against Quinnipiac.
• Villano's goal was his fourth of the season as he leads the team with 10 points.
• Rupp scored his second career game-winning goal.

 UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 21, when they travel to Fairfield, Conn. to take on Sacred Heart at 3:30 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.