WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross men’s soccer team defeated Northeastern, 3-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Linda Johnson Smith Soccer stadium. The Crusaders improve to 2-4-1 in non-conference play, while the Huskies move to 2-4-1.

The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute when Sean Merrick tallied his first collegiate goal. After a Northeastern defender misplayed a ball in transition, Merrick picked up the loose ball at the top of the box and fired a shot past Northeastern’s goalkeeper Jonathan Thuresson. In the second half, Holy Cross continued offensive pressure when Arno Rupp fired off a shot that deflected and into the back of the net in the 53rd minute, giving the Crusaders a 2-0 lead.

In the 72nd minute, R.J. Place sent a beautiful cross to Tyler Bell on the far post to head in the ball, solidifying the Holy Cross win at 3-0. Northeastern’s best chance came late in the game when the Huskies were granted a free kick but Henry Stutz maintained his clean sheet.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Rupp is the first Crusader to tally multiple goals in the 2017 season.

• 22 players saw time for the Crusaders.

• Stutz made three saves for his second shutout.

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders open Patriot League play with a match at Navy on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Annapolis, Md.

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