Box Score WORCESTER, Mass. (September 10, 2024) – Junior Jared Rapoza (Somerset, Mass.) scored his second game-winning goal of the season in a 1-0 win for Stonehill men's soccer at Linda Johnson Smith Stadium against Holy Cross Tuesday night.
 
Highlights

• In the fourth start of his career, sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Sloan (Tallahassee, Fla.) picked up his first-career shutout in the win over the Crusaders. Sloan tallied three saves as he improved his record to 3-1-0 on the year.
• Sloan improved his save percentage to .815 and his 1.15 goals allowed per game, ranking second in the Northeast Conference in both statistical categories.
• Rapoza scored his second goal of the season, both of which have been game-winners including his late goal in a 3-2 win at Fairfield last week.
• This was the first meeting between Stonehill and Holy Cross since 1993 as the Skyhawks improved to 7-10 all-time against the Crusaders in a series that dates back to 1965.
• Three straight wins for the Skyhawks marks the longest winning streak in their Division I era and the longest since Stonehill won four straight games in 2014.

How it Happened 
The Crusaders had a scoring opportunity in the first minute of action as a shot came hurling towards the net but the Skyhawks goalkeeper was standing in the perfect spot and caught the ball with ease.
 
A deep throw-in for the Crusaders found its way into the box and off the head of Evan Jones, redirecting towards the right side of the goal but Sloan made an incredible two-handed save to keep the game scoreless in the 16th minute.
 
A costly turnover for the Crusaders in their defensive end led to a breakaway run for Rapoza in the 25th minute as the junior forward netted the opening goal off his right foot past the dive of Holy Cross goalie Tristan Stephani.
 
The next scoring opportunity for either team came in the 67th minute as another well-placed throw-in from the Crusaders gave way to a Jonathan Klein but Sloan was there to make the save. Just seconds later Evan Jones nearly bicycled the rebound into the back of the net but his circus attempt went just high and out of play.
 
Stonehill and Holy Cross went back and forth possessing the ball for the remainder of the game but both defenses held their own as neither team could muster a shot on goal for the final 23 minutes of action as the Skyhawks held on to win, 1-0.
 
Up Next
Stonehill men's soccer (3-3-1, 0-0-0 NEC) will host St. Thomas University (2-1-2, 0-0-0 Summit) at W.B. Mason Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14 at noon.
 
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