Christendom Athletics turned in another busy slate of competition over the College’s Homecoming weekend, highlighted by the #2 men’s soccer team extending its winning streak to six games with a 1-0 victory over #7 Central Penn. #2 women’s soccer earned a Senior Day victory before battling Central Penn to a draw, while #5 women’s volleyball added another home win and men’s rugby narrowly fell to the University of Richmond.
Men’s Soccer
Christendom’s #2-ranked men’s soccer team entered Homecoming weekend riding a five-game winning streak before hosting #7 Central Penn on Saturday. After both teams traded scoring opportunities early, Isaias Odiatu finally broke through the Central Penn defense with an unassisted goal in the 39th minute.
That proved to be all the offense Christendom needed. Michael Vander Woude and the Crusader defense kept Central Penn off the scoreboard the rest of the way, securing the 1-0 victory and Christendom’s sixth consecutive win. The shutout was Vander Woude’s sixth of the season with four games remaining in the regular season.
Women’s Soccer
The #2-ranked women’s soccer team snapped a three-game losing streak Thursday with a 2-0 Senior Day victory over Penn State Mont Alto in front of a packed home crowd. Juliana Cuddeback and Giulianna Corcinelli scored for Christendom, while Serena Keller recorded her fifth shutout of the season.
The Crusaders returned home Saturday to face Central Penn, looking to build on the victory. Central Penn struck first with a goal in the ninth minute, but Christendom’s defense held firm for the remainder of the game while the Crusaders continued creating opportunities on the other end.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 86th minute, when Maddie Lee scored off an assist from Theresa Luckey to even the game. Neither team broke through again, resulting in a 1-1 draw with four games remaining in Christendom’s regular season.
Men’s Rugby
Following a tough 0-2 start, the men’s rugby team has made great strides in recent weeks, picking up wins over Christopher Newport and Hampden-Sydney to even their record at 2-2. The team hosted the University of Richmond at home on Saturday for Homecoming, aiming to continue building on their recent wins.
Richmond struck first before a Henry Kolesar try gave Christendom a 7-5 advantage. Richmond responded to move back in front, eventually building a 17-7 lead. Tries from Finnian Williamson and Christian DiFalco kept the Crusaders within striking distance, but Richmond carried a 29-19 advantage into halftime.
Kolesar struck again early in the second half, scoring his second try of the afternoon to pull Christendom within five. Neither side scored again, however, with Richmond holding on for the 29-24 victory.
Christendom will next face William & Mary on Saturday, October 24.
Women’s Volleyball
The #4-ranked women’s volleyball team, still riding high from their tri-match sweep last weekend, welcomed Washington Adventist to St. Louis the Crusader Gymnasium this past Thursday.
Christendom cruised through the opening set before Washington Adventist answered by taking the second. The Crusaders regained control with a 25-20 victory in the third before closing out the match with a 25-15 win in the fourth.
Serenity Fedoryka led Christendom with 12.5 points, followed by Monica Smith with 10.5 and Lucy Stahl with 10. The Crusaders have eight matches remaining in the regular season.
For more information on scores, stats, and more, visit christendomathletics.com.