BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland men's soccer scored its first goal of Saturday's matchup with Holy Cross less than two minutes in, beginning an offensive onslaught that culminated in a dominant 8-1 victory on Homecoming weekend and Senior Day at Ridley Athletic Complex.

The seven seniors recognized were heavily featured in the final scoreline, combining for six goals and five assists on the afternoon. Loyola's eight goals are tied for the most all-time in Patriot League history in a conference game, and it is the program's highest offensive output since an 8-0 win over Niagara on Oct. 22, 1999.

The Greyhounds (8-7-1, 5-2) move up to second in the Patriot League standings with two games remaining in the regular season, and they win their fourth-consecutive contest against the Crusaders (3-12, 1-6).

Brian Saramago had a team-high six points, contributing two goals and two assists. Nico Brown followed with two goals and an assist, while Josh Fawole, Barry Sharifi and Daniel Osuji added solo strikes. Davey Mason chipped in a pair of assists, and he delivered a cross into the box which was ultimately put in by a Holy Cross defender in the 32nd minute.

Loyola scored four goals in each half, with Nico Brown, Saramago, Osuji and the own goal accounting for the scoring prior to the intermission. Saramago's first strike, which made it 3-0, came after a pair of perfectly-placed passes from Sam Brown and Eddy Rodriguez in the 27th minute.

Jacob Denison recorded the primary assist on Nico Brown's opener, delivering a long ball from the left side which was headed in 1:40 into regulation. Justin Ingram set up Osuji's third goal of the year in the 37th minute, while Jordan Wiley and Kristinn Petursson picked up assists on Loyola's final goal with 21:53 remaining.

Wiley's helper was his first of the season, making him the 15th different Greyhound to record a point in 2019. 

With his six points, Saramago moves into the Patriot League lead with 22 points (7 G, 8 A) on the year. He also ups his career totals to 33 goals (14th all-time at Loyola), 22 assists (tied for 11th) and 88 points (14th). Saramago has 15 points (4 G, 7 A) in Loyola's last seven games.

Fawole remains hot as well after scoring his fifth goal in the Greyhounds' last six games. Fawole and Sharifi are tied for second on the team with six goals overall this season.

Dylan Scanley scored the lone goal for Holy Cross in the 32nd minute. Matt Dabrowski came on in relief of Chase Vosvick in goal for the second half, with Loyola's backline preventing any shots from reaching the target after halftime.

Loyola's seven seniors (Nico Brown, Dabrowski, Fawole, Mason, Saramago, Sharifi and Morgan Lussi) improve to 25-8-3 all-time against Patriot League opponents. 

The Greyhounds are back on the road next Saturday, traveling to Boston University (4-10-1, 3-4) for a 1 p.m. conference matchup. BU earned a 1-0 double overtime win over Navy this afternoon, with that result allowing Loyola to pass Navy in the Patriot League standings.