SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Freshman Joey DeVivo (Ridgefield, Conn.) scored three goals as the Holy Cross men's soccer team defeated Bryant, 4-1, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at Bulldog Soccer Field. With the win, the Crusaders improve to 2-3-1 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 2-5-0 overall. DeVivo's hat-trick is the first by a Crusader since Kyle Miller scored three goals on Oct. 18, 2008 in a 4-0 win versus Navy. This is the Crusaders' first road win since a 4-3 double-overtime victory at Albany on Sept. 29, 2010 as Holy Cross had a 0-21-2 record in its last 23 road contests. The Crusaders' four goals are also the most in a game since the 4-3 win at Albany.

"Overall it was a very good performance," said Holy Cross head coach Marco Koolman. "The team executed the game plan very well and controlled the ball. We were very positive on offense as we had a lot of good scoring opportunities. The defense was also very strong. It was a very determined effort by our team."

The Bulldogs took an early 1-0 lead when Marco Addonizio scored off a crossing pass by Brett Larocque at 10:41. The Crusaders created numerous opportunities during the first half as they took seven shots on goal but Bryant goalie Chris Knaub was able to keep Holy Cross off the scoreboard in the first half.

The Crusaders tied the game at 1-1 in the 55th minute when sophomore Eddie Viscount (Smithtown, N.Y.) received a crossing pass from senior Tommy Uttaro (Staten Island, N.Y.) and then found the back of the net for his first goal of the season and the second of his career. Just 3:12 later, DeVivo gave Holy Cross the lead when he scored off a corner kick sent by sophomore Luke Melody (Mansfield, Conn.). DeVivo scored his second goal in the 70th minute to increase the advantage to 3-1. Senior captain Monty Sanders (Temecula, Calif.) posted an assist on the goal. DeVivo recorded the hat-trick just 59 seconds later when he scored on a breakaway. DeVivo now has a team-leading four goals this season.

"Even though we did not score in the first half we played very well," said Koolman. "So when we netted our first goal in the second half we gained momentum and were able to build on that and score more goals."

Sophomore goalie Kevin Wright (McKinney, Texas) made two saves to earn the win and improve to 2-2-1 on the season. Knaub posted nine saves. The Crusaders outshot the Bulldogs, 18-8, while Holy Cross took 13 shots on goal and Bryant had three. The Crusaders took three corner kicks and the Bulldogs had one.

The Crusaders return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 24 when they host Northeastern at the Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium at 7:00 p.m.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Men's NCAA Tournament First Round Recap

Men's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

TeamRank Presented By TeamSnap - Boys