FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Sophomore defender Marcello Castro (Panana, Brazil) notched the lone goal of the game in the 78th minute to push the Sacred Heart University men's soccer team past Holy Cross on Campus Field Wednesday night.  It was the first game of the season for the Pioneers, who begin 2010 1-0 with the victory over the Crusaders.

Castro's goal was set up by a free kick from the left side of the field.  Sophomore forward Justin Brewer (Somers, Conn.) defelected the ball toward the cage with his head to find Castro for the goal.

Sacred Heart threatened earlier in the second half when in the 64th minute freshman Omer Levy (Yahud, Israel) played a ball across the box to a streaking Brian Francolini (Ellington, Conn.).  Holy Cross goalkeeper Evan Polanik made a stellar play to knock the ball away from the Pioneer sophomore forward.

Four minutes later SHU would be on the attack again.  This time from the right side, senior midfeidler Lusiano Dadario (East Haven, Conn.) drove a ball acrosse the box where he found senior midfielder Sergio Freitas (Edison, N.J.).  Freitas' struck the ball with his head just wide of the left goal post.

In net for the Pioneers, junior Alex Fait (Ottawa, Ont.) made one save to record his first shutout of the season.  Polanik stopped five shots in the loss for the Crusaders.

For the game, Sacred Heart outshot Holy Cross 17-9.

The Pioneers return to action this Saturday when they take on Columbia at 4:00 pm on Campus Field.