On Friday the Crusader men's soccer team took to the field against Potomac State College. These two teams had met five times prior to this match, the Crusaders coming out with a 0-3-2 record. Would the Crusaders have the upper hand in this meeting?
Both teams took the field prepared for an intense battle. Potomac State got out to an early 1-0 lead, scoring in the 10th minute with a solid near post shot from Corey McKay. Knowing the history of their meetings, the Crusader's spirit dropped, but they continued to persevere and fought on. Christendom midfielders twice in the first half were able to slip a through ball pass to Sophomore Pete Day, who was able to place them both into the back of the net to bring the score to 2-1. Due to the intense heat the coaches and referees agreed to have water break in the middle of the first half with the Crusaders winning 2-1. This water break was beneficial to Christendom, and they were able to hold out against Potomac State agressive offense for the rest of the half.
To begin the second half, the Crusaders came out firing. With Freshman James and Senior Stephen Foeckler working the middle of the field and finding the wings, Freshman Tommy Vander Woude was able to pass the ball behind the Potomac defenders to Pete Day, who was able to poke the ball under the outstretched arms of the goalie for his third goal of the day. Shortly after this third goal, Day followed with his fourth on a ricochet off of a shot from Vander Woude. Potomac State did not let up though, and kept pushing the ball up the field and attempting multiple shots, but great defense by Junior Alex Forst and the other defenders helped to keep the ball out of the Crusaders net. The Crusaders kept the pressure on as well, and with a perfectly placed touch pass from Freshman Josh Mead, Tommy Vander Woude took a shot from the top of the box and found the back of the net for the team's fifth and final goal of the game.
The Christendom Crusaders beat Potomac State for the first time in school history, with the score of 5-2.
The next game for the Crusaders is at home on Saturday, September 24, at 3pm against Patrick Henry College.