WEST POINT, NEW YORK - Archie Hatcher needed just 60 minutes and 39 seconds to write the story of Holy Cross's upset victory, slotting home his second goal of the match and propelling the Crusaders to a thrilling 3-2 win over Army West Point before 1,247 fans at Clinton Field.
The early breakthrough came courtesy of Jack De Simone, who capitalized on a Nicholas Berardi assist at the 19:13 mark, giving Holy Cross a 1-0 lead. The Crusaders doubled their advantage just before halftime when Riley Cullum scored at 45:23, leaving Army reeling as they headed into the break.
The Black Knights pushed hard in the second half, but Holy Cross goalkeeper [name] made crucial saves to preserve the lead. Army finally found the back of the net through [Player Name] at [Time], but Hatcher struck again just 16 minutes later, restoring Holy Cross's two-goal cushion at 76:30. The Crusaders sealed the win with Hatcher's hat-trick goal at 87:13.
The Black Knights (4-5-5, 2-3-1 in conference) suffered their second consecutive loss, while Holy Cross (4-6-5, 1-3-2 in conference) snapped their four-match winless streak. Army's struggles continued as they failed to capitalize on their scoring chances, with only four shots on target across 90 minutes.
Holy Cross controlled the game's rhythm, outshooting Army 10-6 overall and holding a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Crusaders also edged the corner-kick battle 5-2, though neither team could capitalize on their set-piece opportunities early on. As the match wore on, however, Holy Cross's set pieces became increasingly threatening.
The statistical ledger reveals a tale of two halves. In the first 45 minutes, both teams created chances, with Holy Cross holding a narrow 4-3 edge in shot attempts. The Crusaders' clinical finishing proved decisive, as they converted two of their four shots on target. Army, meanwhile, struggled to find the back of the net despite controlling possession at times.
The victory represents more than three points for Holy Cross; it signals a turning point in their season. With their next match against Colgate, the Crusaders will look to build on this momentum. Army, on the other hand, must regroup quickly as they prepare to face Lafayette.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for these two teams. Holy Cross will look to maintain their newfound confidence against Colgate, while Army will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities ahead of their matchup with Lafayette. The Black Knights will be hoping to bounce back from their second consecutive loss.
The afternoon belonged to Holy Crossβand specifically to Archie Hatcher, whose hat-trick will be remembered for a long time. The Crusaders' victory was a testament to their resilience and determination.
Key Players:
Archie Hatcher (Holy Cross) β The match-winner scored a hat-trick, including two crucial second-half goals that sealed the victory for Holy Cross.
Jack De Simone (Holy Cross) β Opened the scoring with a well-timed finish, setting the tone for Holy Cross's dominant performance.
Riley Cullum (Holy Cross) β Doubled Holy Cross's lead just before halftime, leaving Army reeling as they headed into the break. [Army Player] (Army West Point) β Made a crucial save to deny Holy Cross an early second goal, but ultimately couldn't prevent the Crusaders' victory.