Game Information
Score: RV Keiser 5, Holy Cross 1
Records: RV Keiser (3-0-0), Holy Cross College (Ind.) (0-4-0)
Location: Joseph R. Russo Athletic Complex, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
The Keiser men's soccer team cruised past Holy Cross 5-1 on Friday afternoon. With the victory, the Seahawks improved their overall record to 3-0-0.
Stat of the Match
The Seahawks kept constant pressure on the Saints backline as Keiser outshot Holy Cross 26-8 and 16-5 on shots on goal.
How it Happened
- The Seahawks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the fourth minute as Ciro Damine netted his eighth goal of the year off a give-go from Dean Russell and Joe Rivera.
- Damine doubled the advantage in the 40th minute as he beat the keeper to the far post off a through ball from Sebastian Espino.
- Holy Cross capitalized on a handball in the box just 1:05 into the new half as Callum Beaver converted on the penalty kick to pull within 2-1.
- Three minutes later, Rivera was taken down in the box to award Keiser a penalty kick of their own. Espino stepped up and converted his second PK of the season.
- For the third straight game, Damine recorded a hat-trick as he powered the ball past the keeper in the 55th minute, upping the margin to 4-1.
- In the 75th minute, Giorgio Resnati blasted a shot from 30-yards out that went off the crossbar and was followed up by Espino, who headed the ball into the back of the net.
Game Notes
- With today's win, Keiser matches the best start in program history, 3-0, last occuring in 2010 when they finished with a 12-6 record.
- Freshman, Damine has recorded three-straight hat-tricks to open the season. He also leads the NAIA in goals with ten.
- The Seahawks are tops in the NAIA in goals (29) and assists (25).
- Joan Carles Perez has yet to concede a goal in the run of play through three contests. The junior made four saves on the afternoon.
- Damine recorded a game-best nine shots with six of those coming on target.
- Today's contest marked the first meeting between these two teams.
- Keiser has outscored their opponents 29-3 through the first three games of the 2018 season.
By the Numbers
Keiser:
Shots:26
Shots on Goal: 16
Corner Kicks: 6
Saves: 4
Holy Cross
Shots: 8
Shots on Goal: 5
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 11
Coach's Corner
Coach
Gavin Oldham said, "Today was another solid performance by the boys. It was great to get everyone some playing time as we have a quick turnaround on Sunday against Lawrence Tech. We got to use some new guys, who got eligible recently as well. Our strikers again finished this afternoon but not happy we conceded a goal off a penalty kick."
Next Game
Keiser vs. Lawrence Tech on Sunday, Sep. 2 at 1:30 p.m. at Joseph R. Russo Athletic Complex in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
