THE BASICS:

Score: Holy Cross 3, Lehigh 1

Records: Holy Cross (5-3-0, 1-0-0 Patriot League); Lehigh (2-5-1, 0-1-0 Patriot League)

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

Date: Saturday, September 24, 2016

Time: 7:35 p.m.

The Lead: Junior captain Yuji Callahan, senior Matt Villano and senior Joey DeVivo each scored a goal for the Crusaders as the Holy Cross men's soccer team defeated Lehigh, 3-1, in the Patriot League season-opener for both teams.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Crusaders are 5-0-0 at home so far this season, which is their best start at home in 15 years as they were also 5-0-0 in 2001.
• Holy Cross' 5-3-0 record is its best to start the season in eight years when the Crusaders were 5-1-2 in 2008.
• The Crusaders' 17 goals are their most to start a season in 10 years when they also had netted 17 in 2006.
• The Crusaders are 5-0-0 in Patriot League season-openers under head coach Marco Koolman.
• Villano's goal was his team-leading fifth of the season and his team-best third game winner. He leads the team with 12 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead when Callahan sent a shot from eight yards to the lower right side of the net for his first goal of the season in the second minute (1:27). Junior captain Justin Carfora posted an assist on the goal.
• The Mountain Hawks tied the game at 1-1 in the 30th minute (29:08) when Jack Miskel fired a shot from 35 yards out to the upper right corner of the net.
• Crusader sophomore goalie Henry Stutz and Lehigh goalie Jacob Gottwald each made one save in the first half.
• In the 53rd minute, DeVivo blasted a volley from 12 yards out that was going to the lower left corner of the net but Gottwald was able to make the save to keep the score tied at 1-1.
• But shortly after (52:47), DeVivo sent a pass to Villano who knocked in the ball from two yards out to give the Crusaders a 2-1 advantage.
• In the 59th minute, Stutz made two big saves to prevent Lehigh from scoring the equalizer. Mark Forrest attempted to send a penalty kick to the middle of the net but Stutz was there to make the save as Forrest then headed the rebound but again Stutz made the save.
• The Crusaders put the game out of reach in the 73rd minute (72:31), when DeVivo scored from five yards out on a rebound from a shot by junior Arno Rupp.
• Stutz made six second-half saves to secure the 3-1 victory for the Crusaders.  

KOOLMAN'S KORNER:

• “It is great to start the Patriot League season with a victory,” said Holy Cross head coach Marco Koolman. “We made some adjustments after being tied at 1-1 going to halftime and the team responded to those changes. We told the team that they have to raise their play to another level and everyone did. We defended really well and took advantage of our opportunities with some outstanding goals.”

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Each goalie made seven saves.
• The Crusaders outshot the Mountain Hawks, 16-12. Holy Cross had 10 shots on goal and Lehigh had eight.    

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 27, when they host Brown at 7:05 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.