WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross men’s soccer team battled for 90 minutes but could not maintain its defensive hold, dropping a 1-0 overtime decision in the final non-conference contest of the season against Brown at the Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium. With the loss, the Crusaders combine for a record of 1-12-2 while the Bears move to 8-4-2. Junior Pat McCann (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) led the squad’s offense with three shots taken.

 

The teams played a scoreless first half as Brown held an 8-6 shots advantage. Freshman Andrew Butterworth (Haverhill, Mass.) posted the team’s lone shot on-goal while fellow freshman Michael Thompson (Cromwell, Conn.) made one save in the first 45 minutes of play. Brown came out shooting in the second half, tallying four straight shots but no goals to show for it during the first 15 minutes of the second half. Sophomore Tommy Uttaro (Staten Island, N.Y.) then knocked a shot straight off the cross bar but saw it bounce out from the net for the Crusaders’ best shot attempt in the second half. Brown attempted three corner kicks in the final minute of regulation, but could not score as the team’s headed into overtime tied 0-0.

 

Brown took control right away in the overtime period, knocking a shot right at Thompson, who made the save with his fingertips. The Bears then took advantage of a corner kick, striking a ball into the net amidst a cluster of players. The goal, scored by junior Eric Robertson, came at the 91:02 mark, ending the Crusaders’ efforts in a hard fought battle.

 

With the 1-0 final, Thompson picks up the loss, going to1-6-2on the season. He finished with four saves. Brown goalkeeper, Sam Kernan-Schloss, finished the game with one save and collects a record of5-2-2, also earning his fifth shutout of the season. The Bears totaled 19 shots while the Crusaders had nine total shooting opportunities.

 

Holy Cross hits the road next for a Patriot League bout with Navy on Saturday, Oct. 29. The game will be under the lights, starting at7:00 p.m.at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility inAnnapolis,Md.

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