By Bradley Melchor, Sports Editor
Both the Men’s and Women’s soccer teams kicked off their respective seasons with out of state trips this past weekend, with the men heading to Conway, AR and the women traveling all the way out to Duluth, MN.
The men faced their first test of the 2023 season when they kicked off against Rhodes College on Friday, and were fought to a standstill as the game ended 1-1. Sophomore winger Xjavier Martinez saved the draw and scored the Cru’s inaugural goal of the season with an equalizing volley in the 78th minute. The Crusaders ended their trip with a comfortable 2-0 win over Hendrix college on Sunday, with goals coming from junior defender Keven Daniel and junior winger Ethan Dacaret. All three goals on the weekend were assisted by junior midfielder Sawyer Young.
The women’s team also enjoyed a very successful trip in Minnesota, winning their first contest against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Friday by a score of 1-0. The lone goal was scored by sophomore midfielder Jayme Dowell. The Cru capped off their trip with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the College of St.Scholastica, with goals coming courtesy of junior midfielder Breland Mungia, junior forward Natalie Mason, and senior forward Mackenzie Worthy.
Both teams will hold their home openers when the men host Texas Lutheran University this Friday, September 8th at 7:30 P.M, while the women will host Ohio Northern University on Saturday, September 9th at 7:00 P.M.
