By Bradley Melchor, sports editor
The Crusaders Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams both enjoyed a successful start to their ASC campaigns this weekend as both teams picked up wins over conference opponents East Texas Baptist University and Letourneau University.
The women’s team continued their undefeated start to the season as they dismantled ETBU on Thursday night at home, with sophomore midfielder Jayme Dowell and senior midfielder Ashley Vensel finding the back of the net, while junior goalkeeper Reagen Williams kept yet another clean sheet en route to a comfortable 2-0 victory.
The men’s team also hosted ETBU for their conference opener later that night, and after an up and down pre-season, the Cru found their goal scoring form as they lit up the scoreboard in a comfortable 4-0 win over the Tigers. Sophomore defender Chase Duhon, sophomore winger Karsen Macias, and junior winger Patrick Pither all netted their first goals of the season while junior midfielder Mason Munoz also netted his second on the year.
Both teams were back in action Saturday night, as they hosted Letourneau University for their second conference games. The women's team continued their dominant run of form as they put six goals past the Yellowjackets, with Vensel recording a hat-trick and goals coming from freshman midfielder Ella Ruff and junior midfielders Morgan Rathmell and Breland Mungia.
The men's team closed out the weekend with another massive victory in their ASC Championship rematch with the Yellowjackets, with sophomore forward Xjavier Martinez recording a brace while freshman defender Mason Crites and junior forward Ethan Dacaret also contributing a goal each as the Cru picked up another 4-0 victory.
Both teams will continue their ASC title defense when they travel to Brownwood on Thursday to take on Howard Payne University, with the women's match kicking off at 5 p.m. and the men's match kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
photo by Jackson Keenan/TheBells
