Box Score FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Freshman Ermir Celaj (Brookfield, Conn.) scored his second goal of the season Saturday night against the Holy Cross Crusaders at Campus Field, but Holy Cross scored three goals in the second half to pull away and win 4-1.
Sacred Heart (0-6-1) had two quality chances at goal early in the game. Mahmoud Kafel (Fairfield, Conn.) hit the crossbar on a 30-yard free kick in the seventh minute. Kafel also finished off a Pioneer run in the eighth minute, taking a Celaj pass and putting a shot right at Holy Cross goalkeeper Kevin Wright. The Crusaders broke through for the game's first goal in the 21st minute. Diego Ceron played a cross into the six-yard box that was headed into the net by Luke Melody, giving Holy Cross a 1-0 lead. Ezra Siyadhuba (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) attempted to tie the game in the 33rd minute, but his free kick went right to Wright. Kafel also had a chance to level the match three minutes before halftime, but put a shot off the side-netting to keep the game 1-0 heading into halftime.
Holy Cross (2-2-1) extended its lead in the 63rd minute when Justin Carfora finished off a Crusaders' run with a low shot past Sacred Heart goalkeeper Tucker Hackett (Madison, Conn.), making the score 2-0. Celaj tallied the Pioneers' lone goal in the 71st minute. The freshman took a Jamal Vinson (Teaneck, N.J.) cross and headed it over Wright to get Sacred Heart within a goal at 2-1. After three Sacred heart shots missed the mark, Holy Cross extended its lead to two in the 80th minute. Ceron played a free kick to Brad Ross who headed the ball goalward, making the score 3-1. Holy Cross tacked on one more goal to make the final score 4-1.
The Pioneers outshot Holy Cross 18-11, but only had four shots on goal. The Crusaders had six shots on goal, with Hackett making two saves. Wright had three saves for Holy Cross.
Sacred Heart is back in action at Campus Field on Tuesday, Sept. 23 for a 6 p.m. match against Stony Brook.
