Christendom’s soccer and volleyball teams continued their strong starts to the fall season this past week, combining for six victories highlighted by two men’s soccer wins, a pair of women’s soccer shutouts, and women’s volleyball’s second consecutive tri-match sweep.
Men’s Soccer
Following a heartbreaking loss to Hagerstown CC last Friday, Christendom’s men’s soccer team responded with two home victories, beginning Wednesday against Patrick Henry.
Luke Vander Woude opened the scoring in the 35th minute off an assist from Tim Sheedy before Raphael Blank added another goal to send Christendom into halftime with a 2-0 advantage. Sheedy found the back of the net early in the second half before Luke Vander Woude scored his second of the match in the 63rd minute. Michael Vander Woude was outstanding in net, holding Patrick Henry scoreless to secure the 4-0 shutout victory.
Christendom returned to action Saturday against Bucks County CC with Luke Vander Woude once again opening the scoring for the Crusaders. Philip Vander Woude doubled the advantage shortly after halftime, but Bucks County’s Ryan MacMullen responded with two goals in six minutes to even the match at 2-2.
With the score tied 2-2, both defenses got to work. Philip Vander Woude managed to punch through and score again for Christendom to give them a tight 3-2 lead until Mark Kelly scored a goal of his own in the 85th minute, securing a 4-2 win for Christendom in their most thrilling match of the season yet.
Women’s Soccer
Riding high after a 3-0 shutout of Penn State Schuylkill the previous weekend, the women’s soccer team continued its dominant start with two more road victories, including a commanding 19-0 win over Trinity University on Thursday.
Christendom faced a much tighter contest against Hollins, with Juli Cuddeback scoring the game’s lone goal early in the match. The Crusaders put six more shots on goal but could not add to their advantage, leaving the outcome in the hands of their defense.
Serena Keller delivered once again in net, stopping all 10 shots on goal she faced to secure the 1-0 victory and her fourth shutout of the season.
Women’s Volleyball
Following a home-opening tri-match sweep the previous weekend, Christendom’s women’s volleyball team traveled to Mid-Atlantic Christian for another tri-match and came away with two more victories.
Facing Rockingham in the opening match, Christendom took a tight first set before winning the second, 25-18. Rockingham battled in the third, but the Crusaders prevailed 25-23 to complete the straight-set victory.
The day’s second match proved far more dramatic. Christendom raced past Mid-Atlantic Christian 25-12 in the opening set before taking the second, 25-22. Mid-Atlantic responded with victories in the third and fourth sets, however, forcing a decisive fifth.
Neither team could pull away early in the final set before Christendom opened a 13-10 advantage. Mid-Atlantic battled back to tie the score, but Lucy Stahl delivered back-to-back kills to seal the victory and Christendom’s second consecutive tri-match sweep.
Men’s Rugby
Continuing its season-opening road stretch, the men’s rugby team traveled to the University of Virginia on Saturday. The Crusaders turned in a stronger performance than in their opener against Franciscan University, keeping the match competitive throughout. Virginia ultimately pulled away enough to secure a 34-19 victory, handing Christendom its second loss of the season.