GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Basile Lozachmeur delivered the decisive strike in the 65th minute, and Madonna University overcame more than half the match with 10 players to defeat Cornerstone 1-0 on Saturday. The road victory gave the Crusaders a winning start in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play and lifted their overall record to 3-2-2.
Madonna created the stronger chances during a scoreless first half, including three shots on goal in a 1:22 stretch. Kaito Hashimoto began the sequence at 26:41 before Juan Villarreal and Lucas Schoenberger also tested Cornerstone goalkeeper Luke Philo. The match shifted at 34:08 when starting goalkeeper Afonso Henrique received a red card, reducing the Crusaders to 10 players. Justus Feit entered in goal and immediately answered the challenge, saving Isaac Wood's attempt just eight seconds later to preserve the tie.
Despite playing short-handed, the Crusaders increased the pressure after halftime and produced 13 second-half shots. Daniel Watkins forced Philo into a save at 64:48, and Lozachmeur broke through only nine seconds later with an unassisted finish. The goal was Lozachmeur's second of the season and first game-winner. Cornerstone's Seth Campbell received a red card at the same timestamp, leaving both sides with 10 players for the final 25 minutes.
Madonna continued to push for another goal while protecting its advantage. Feit made another important stop at 73:46, and Hashimoto nearly doubled the lead when a shot struck the post at 81:25. Lozachmeur finished with three shots, including two on goal, while Watkins put three of four attempts on frame. Schoenberger also supplied four shots during a full 90-minute performance.
The Crusaders finished with an 18-8 advantage in shots, an 8-3 edge in shots on goal and an 8-5 margin in corner kicks. Henrique made one save before departing, while Feit stopped both shots faced across 55:52 of scoreless relief. Their combined work completed Madonna's shutout and secured a hard-earned conference victory, moving the Crusaders to 1-0 in WHAC play as Cornerstone fell to 0-7 overall and 0-2 in the league.
Madonna Men's Soccer will be back in action when they face #12 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM on the MU Soccer and Lacrosse Field.
