Oct. 16, 2004

Sophomore Mike Odumewu scored in the 70th minute to lead the United States Military Academy to a 1-0 victory over Holy Cross in a Patriot League game on Saturday afternoon at the Hart Soccer Field.

The Crusaders have now lost three straight games and fall to 5-4-1 (1-2-1). With its first league win of the season, Army improves to 4-8-1 (1-3-0).

The game was played to a scoreless tie through the first half, with both teams having some good opportunities to take a lead. Early in the first, Holy Cross sophomore Alex Cruz lofted what looked like a sure goal over Army keeper Matt Wesmiller's head, but Wesmiller was able to recover, and tipped the ball over the crossbar. Later, in the 26th minute, Army's Chase Hunter had an open net after drawing Crusader keeper Richard Whipple out of the goal, but Holy Cross' Geoff O'Connell hustled back and was able to clear the ball just before it crossed the goal-line.

In the second stanza, Army had two more chances to break the game open, but Whipple was able to keep the Crusaders alive with two great stops in the 60th and 64th minute. Holy Cross' luck ran out quickly after that, though, when Odumewu gathered a crossing pass from the left side and slipped a shot past Whipple for the game-winning score at the 69:39 mark.

Holy Cross outshot the visitors 13-11, and had a 6-1 advantage on corner kicks, but was unable to get anything going offensively. Whipple made 7 saves for the Crusaders. Wesmiller had 6 stops for the Black Knights.

The Crusaders host Quinnipiac in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday, October 19 at 3 pm.