HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Crusaders held on to take the win against RV Thomas University this afternoon at Danny Owens Field. The Crusaders are now 5-0 in conference play.
 
Both teams spent the opening 15 minutes of the game feeling each other out. Each team trying to analyze the other, seeing where their weaknesses and strengths were and how they could exploit them. Direct running and through balls from each team seemed to be the way to go early on as both teams tried to get on the board.
 
The best chance of the half fell to the Crusaders. Kolby Godbolt ran on to a through ball down the right-hand side and fired a ball straight at the defender. The deflection fell to the feet of Djordje Djukovic who was unable to convert as his short was well saved by Jorge Gonzalez.
 
The Crusaders broke the deadlock in the 17^th minute. A ball into the box found the feet of Billy Boag with his back to goal. Boag held off the advances of the defender excellently before laying the ball off to Jamie Wynne who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
 
The remainder of the half featured little action on either end with both back lines holding firm. A few half chances for either team would be the closest either team came to grabbing the next goal. Gonzalez in the Night Hawk net, and Carey keeper Henry Hampshaw, both looked alert as they dealt with any danger that came their way.
 
The second half started the same as the first did with respect from both teams and analyzing what each team were going to do to change the game. Thomas enjoyed a lot more joy at the beginning of the second half, enjoying more possession in dangerous areas.
 
Godbolt provided the dangerous threat for Carey. Godbolt's directness and dangerous running in behind caused problems for the Night Hawks defense. He found himself in on goal several times, forcing saves from Gonzalez on a few occasions.
 
In the 75^th minute, Milos Stajkovic gifted the Crusaders the insurance goal they were looking for. Alessandro Villarreal found himself in space on the left-hand side and whipped the ball across 6-yard box. The ball was played just behind Boag but found the feet of Stajkovic at the back post who half-volleyed the ball with some venom into the back of the net, giving Gonzalez no chance.
 
The game was not over as the Night Hawks would make the last two minutes very interesting. Cameron Hawkins played a long through ball from just inside his own half in behind the Carey defense. Jake Wright ran onto the ball and finished well beyond the on-rushing Henry Hampshaw. The Night Hawks put the pressure on in the last couple of minutes, forcing two late corners. The Crusaders managed to hold on and ensure they started their conference season 5-0.
 
The Crusaders are back in action this Saturday as they host Florida Memoria on October 4^th. That game set to get underway at 4 PM at Danny Owens Field.