THE BASICS:

Score: Sacred Heart 3, Holy Cross 1

Records: Holy Cross (4-3-0); Sacred Heart (2-4-1)

Location: Fairfield, Conn. (Campus Field)

Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Time: 5:00 p.m.

The Lead: Shaquille Saunchez broke a 1-1 tie in the second half when he scored the game-winning goal for the Pioneers as the Holy Cross men's soccer team fell to Sacred Heart, 3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers took a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute (26:01), when Ermir Celaj knocked the ball in from eight yards out.
• Celaj almost gave the Pioneers a two-goal lead in the 32nd minute when he sent a one-timer just over the net.
• In the 36th minute, Crusader goalie Henry Stutz charged out of the net and picked up the ball right before a Pioneer forward was able to control it.
• Then in the 40th minute (39:59), the Crusaders tied the contest at 1-1 when junior Arno Rupp sent a header from 10 yards out to the back of the net off a pass by junior Yuji Callahan.
• Oscar Curras sent a free kick from 22 yards out just wide of the left post in the 57th minute for the Pioneers as the score remained tied at 1-1.
• In the 62nd minute (61:03), the Pioneers took a 2-1 lead when Saunchez fired the ball to the back of the net from five yards out.
• With just 48 seconds left, Saunchez scored on a breakaway for the 3-1 final score.

KOOLMAN'S KORNER:

• “We did not match their intensity and they played better than us today,” said Holy Cross head coach Marco Koolman. “At times we did play well but we were unable to take advantage of our chances and find the back of the net when we needed to. With Patriot League play starting on Saturday, I think we are prepared because of our non-conference games. Patriot League play will be tough but we are ready.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Stutz made five saves, while Robert Strain posted three.
• The Pioneers outshot the Crusaders, 18-14. The Pioneers had eight shots on goal and the Crusaders had four.    

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Rupp scored his third goal of the season and the eighth of his career.
• The Crusaders' 14 goals are their most to start a season in 10 years when they posted 16 in 2006.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, Sept. 24, when they host Lehigh in the Patriot League season opener at the Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium at 7:35 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.