After a 2-3 start to the season, Holy Cross men’s soccer (8-4) is riding a three-game winning streak and 5-0 conference record into a conference matchup with Viterbo (7-3-2).
Holy Cross currently sits tied atop the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletics Conference standings with Olivet Nazarene, both boasting 5-0 records in conference play.
That 5-0 mark is the best start to conference play for the Saints in program history.
“We’re taking one game at a time, enjoying, and embracing the moment,” head coach Omar Gallo said. “We have a group that’scbought in since day one and not only are they striving on the pitch, but more importantly off the pitch. It’s a group that's really embraced each other off the field and I believe that’s created a strong bond when it comes to the game.”
Viterbo sits just below the Saints in the conference standings with a 4-1 conference record, their best mark since they finished the 2021-2022 season 3-0 in conference play.
After a tough 2-0 loss against Loyola of Chicago late in September, the Saints have been on a hot streak to start the month of October.
Holy Cross’ most recent conference win came against St. Francis, a game they won 4-3.
Freshman Xavier Fox led the way for the Saints with two goals against the Cougars on Saturday.
“Xavier, along with the rest of the attacking players have really stepped up this year,” Gallo said. “He’s starting to read the game a lot more and recognizing his strengths. Whether it’s holding play up for us, or roaming around the goal, he's finding his groove.”
Viterbo is in a different situation than Holy Cross as they had a good September, losing just once in six contests that month. October has not been as kind to them as they have lost two of their first three games to begin the month. That stretch included its lone conference loss yet for the V-Hawks against Olivet Nazarene, a tough 5-1 defeat.
The last two matchups between the Holy Cross and Viterbo ended in ties with a combined three goals between the two games.
”We’ve been stressing all season that our defending starts from the front, and we’ll need just that to keep Viterbo off the scoreboard,” Gallo said. “If we can be disciplined in our defensive shape, pick our moments to transition and capitalize, then hopefully we’ll get the three points we’re looking for.”
After going to Viterbo last season, the Saints will host the V-Hawks at Saints Field on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.
