Strong Offense Powers Men's Soccer Past Holy Cross 3-1.

Wednesday, September 21

5 pm

Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics

2-4-1

Holy Cross

4-3

Holy Cross

Sacred Heart

Strong Offense Powers Men's Soccer Past Holy Cross 3-1.

9/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—The Sacred Heart men's soccer team used a strong offensive attack to down Holy Cross 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon.

The Pioneers (2-4-1) pushed the tempo throughout the match firing 18 shots to the Crusaders (4-3) 14 shots. Sacred Heart answered first in the 29^th minute thanks to junior Ermir Celaj (Brookfield, Conn.), who found the net on junior Dylan Santos's (Rahway, N.J.) pass off a deflection in the box. Celaj has now scored in back to back contests. Holy Cross would answer in the first half as well, scoring in the 39^th minute on a header by Arno Rupp on the cross from Yuji Callahan.

After much back and forth in the second half, senior Shaquille Saunchez (Kingston, Jamaica) would net the final two goals to give the Pioneers the victory at Campus Field. Saunchez broke the tie in the 61^st minute on a rebound off a Holy Cross defender to chip it in from five yards out. Saunchez stuck again in the final minute of the game on a breakaway goal to seal the victory. With his two goals today, Saunchez now leads the Northeast Conference with five on the year.

Sacred Heart return to action on Saturday September 24, when they host Stony Brook at Campus Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00pm.

First Half

- Celaj gets his second goal of the season off the assist from Santos inside the box at the 26-minute mark.

- Celaj nearly scored again in the 31^st minute, but missed the open shot from 5 yards out a bit high.

- A cross by Callahan in the 39^th minute sets up Arno's header which gave Holy Cross the equalizer before halftime.

Second Half

- Robert Strain makes his first save of the match in the 51^st minute. All three of Strain's saves were in the second half.

- Saunchez's fourth goal of the year came in the 61^st minute, firing the ball from five yards out.

- Saunchez seals the game in the final minute with his second goal of the afternoon.