LIVONIA, Mich.. –  Madonna University's #RV Men's Soccer Team (4-1-2, 1-0-0) faced off against WHAC opponent #RV University of Northwestern Ohio (2-3-1, 0-1-0) in a game that could determine whether either team may crack the top 25. The Crusaders walked away with a dominating win over the Racers with a final score of 8-0. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Crusaders entered today's game looking to make a statement not only to the WHAC but also to the country. The Crusaders took control of this game from the first kick and started their scoring early. In the 5th minute the Crusaders took advantage of a corner kick off the foot of Daniel Watkins that found the head of Felipe Acherboim to put the Crusaders up 1-0 early. Then in the 18th minute it was Jordy Lopez who would find his first goal of the day on a beautiful cross from Ryota Nakajima to put the Crusaders up 2-0.  Then the Crusaders would find one more goal before the half in the 42nd minute with the same connection of Lopez and Nakajima but this time it would be Lopez with the cross to an open Nakajima to put the Crusaders up 3-0 heading into halftime. 
In the second half, the Crusaders would not let up the pressure or the momentum as Lopez would get his second goal of the day just three minutes into the second half off an unselfish pass from Corey Matthews to put the Crusaders up 4-0. Then in the 63rd minute Lopez would complete the hat trick after a penalty in the box gave him a penalty kick that found the back of the net to give the Crusaders a 5-0 lead. Although the Crusaders were still not finished, as Yan Brun would get himself a goal just a minute later to give the Crusaders a 6-0 lead with still 25 minutes to play. Then in the 80th minute it would be Hassan Alatooli scoring his second goal of the season to put the Crusaders up 7-0. Finally, to put the cherry on top, it was Masayuki Sato who would score his first goal of the year after a shot from Brady Titsworth rebounded right to Sato to cap the game for the Crusaders and giving them a dominating 8-0 victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Crusaders outshot the Racers 20(15)-8(2).
• Lopez finishes with 3 goals which is his first hat trick as a Crusader
• The Crusaders also finished with more corner kicks than the Racers 5-0

UP NEXT
The Crusaders will return to the pitch on Saturday, September 21st for another tough WHAC opponent as they travel to Grand Rapids, Mich. to take on #RV Aquinas College. Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM.    

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