LIVONIA, Mich.- The Madonna University men's soccer team kicked off the conference season with a 2-1 victory against Lawrence Technological University. In the preseason the Blue and Gold were picked to win their third straight conference title while the Blue Devils were picked to finish a close second. The Crusaders are now 4-1-2 overall and a 1-0 conference record, While the Blue Devils fall to 1-6 overall and 0-1 in the conference play. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crusaders set the tone offensively with a goal in the 2nd minute from Bruno Piva de Castro as he got his shot off just between the goalie's legs. Rodrigo Castro De Siqueira gave the assist on the pass from the outside. 
• The next 38 minutes consisted of both teams rattling off multiple shots. 
• In the 40th minute the Blue Devils were able to even up the score off of a corner kick from Nicolas Rodriquez that Enric Miquel was able to get past Joe Smith.
• The second half started with yet again each team getting their fair share of shots
• In the 74th minute Issei Ito was able to get a shot past the goalie to take the lead for the final time in the afternoon.

INSIDE THE BOX

• The Crusaders outshot the Blue Devils 12-10 over the course of the game and 6-5 in shots on goal.
• Ito's goal today was his second career game-winning goal
• The Blue and Gold are now 9-3 against the Blue Devils
• Seven total Crusaders tallied a shot in the contest, led by Castro with four

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will now travel to Concordia - Ann Arbor to take on the WHAC opponent on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 1 PM.
• Live coverage will be available via the Madonna Athletics Network at www.mucrusaders.com/live.

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