SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Sophomore forward Kevin Kozic (Raritan, N.J./Immaculata) scored the game’s only goal as The University of Scranton men’s soccer team picked up a key victory over 15th-ranked Susquehanna, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at Sassafras Fields.

The win keeps the Royals unbeaten at 9-0-1 and 3-0 in Landmark Conference play and extends the third-best start in school history, second only to a 17-0 start in 1986 and a 20-0 start in 1987. More importantly, it puts the Royals alone in first place in the Landmark Conference.

Kozic scored the game-winner in the 20th minute when he tapped in a shot after senior midfielder Patrick M. Daley (Rochester, N.Y./Aquinas) chipped a perfect feed over the head of the Susquehanna goalie to a wide open Kozic.

The goal was Kozic’s fifth of the season while Daley earned his second assist.

Senior goalie James Dillon (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) made two saves, both in the first half, to pick up his fifth shutout of the season.

Scranton has now allowed just one goal in its past 311:50, a stretch that reaches back three-plus games. They Royals are allowing just 0.60 goals per game.

With the victory, the Royals have won two straight and three of four over Susquehanna. The victory is Scranton’s first on the road against Susquehanna since 2000.

Susquehanna entered the game ranked 15th in the country and second in the Mid-Atlantic region in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) rankings. The loss dropped the Crusaders to 9-2 overall and 2-1 in the Landmark Conference.

Scranton returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 10, when it travels to Swarthmore, Pa. to face Swarthmore, which is ranked fourth in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic region rankings, one spot ahead of the Royals.

--ROYALS--