CHICAGO - Jose Rivera scored his first goal as a collegian, striking in the 50th minute for the game's only goal to lift the Roosevelt men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Holy Cross (Ind.) at Stuart Field on Tuesday.

Rivera gathered a ball from Albert Arabik and sent it past the keeper to hug the net and light the scoreboard, keeping the Lakers (6-3-0, 4-0-0 CCAC) unbeaten in conference play.

Mario Graciano made five saves as Holy Cross (6-3-0, 2-2-0 CCAC) turned up the offensive pressure in the second half.

The Saints nearly equalized on a Roosevelt turnover in the 82nd minute, as Graciano collided with one of his own defenders and the ball caromed into the possession of Holy Cross' Cliff Brown. Brown dribbled toward an unmanned goal and unleashed a low shot that skipped wide right, allowing the Lakers to avert disaster.

The Lakers' defense held firm the rest of the way, holding on for the win despite the Saints' desperate search for the tying tally.

Roosevelt takes on Olivet Nazarene this Saturday in Bourbonnais.