LIVONIA, Mich. - Madonna University (8-3-5) struck twice in 39 seconds early in the second half to pull away for a 3-0 soccer victory over Cleary (MI) (7-10-1) on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Livonia, Michigan. Pedro Zucchi scored twice for the Crusaders.
Madonna applied pressure from the opening minutes, with Tidiane Diop putting all three attempts on target. Cleary goalkeeper Felix Robert stopped those shots at 1:59, 18:59 and 27:48 before the Crusaders broke through. Zucchi entered alongside Basile Lozachmeur and Juan Villarreal at 29:08, and the substitutes made an immediate impact: Lozachmeur assisted Zucchi's opening goal at 31:18.
The Crusaders continued creating chances before the break, including Keitaro Kawai's shot that Robert saved at 43:44. Madonna carried a 1-0 lead into halftime with a 14-3 advantage in shots and five corner kicks to Cleary's two. Robert made six first-half saves to keep the margin at one goal.
Lozachmeur widened the gap at 51:11, finishing off an assist from Lucas Schoenberger. At 51:50, Lozachmeur supplied the pass for Zucchi's second goal to make it 3-0. Zucchi put all three shots on goal, while Lozachmeur finished with a goal and two assists. Each played 27 minutes.
Goalkeeper Afonso Henrique protected the lead with three saves in a 90-minute shutout. Henrique stopped Callum Johnson's shot at 70:29, denied Dexter Todd's header at 76:52 and turned away another Todd attempt at 86:35. At the other end, Bernardo Teston had a header saved at 78:47 and led Madonna with six shots, including two on target.
Madonna finished with a 25-8 edge in shots and a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal, forcing Robert to make seven saves overall. The Crusaders also earned seven corner kicks to Cleary's four.
Madonna Men's Soccer advances to the WHAC Semifinals where they will host #3 Aquinas College at MU Soccer and Lacrosse Field for a 2:30 PM start.
