The Lady Crusaders were back in action playing their 3^rd game in 4 days after the long trip this past weekend at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC. The team traveled to Washington, DC to take on NCAA III opponent Trinity College. Christendom and Trinity have enjoyed a good spirited rivalry over the years especially after Christendom’s first ever victory over Trinity came 2 years ago. The young Lady Crusaders who this semester only have 1 upperclassmen on the team that being Junior captain Elizabeth Ford played the game without starting point guard Bryn Burgess who up until this point has been the team’s most consistent scorer.

With 3 freshmen in the starting lineup Monday night the Lady Crusaders were immediately overwhelmed by the Tigers of Trinity. Trinity raced out to an early 23-4 lead due to their pressure defense and up tempo style. However, what looked to be a bleak night all took a radical turn halfway through the first quarter. “I just told them, we don’t judge our success on the scoreboard. Let’s go out there and improve and play as if we have nothing to lose” noted Coach Vander Woude. The women responded in tremendous fashion. Fueled by the energy of freshmen Georgie Messing (who got her first collegiate start of her career) and Kate Wilson the Lady Crusaders started winning possession after possession. With Gemma McMahon running the show on offense in her newly found point guard role and Elizabeth Ford picking up the scoring, Christendom started to cut into the Tigers lead and their morale.

The half-time score saw the Lady Crusaders trailing the Tigers just 21-33 after Blessing Hayes scored on a last second layup before the half-time buzzer. The 2^nd half saw the Lady Crusaders playing the Tigers almost to a stalemate. With each member of the Christendom playing in the game and with strong minutes from Libby Peterson and Danielle Corcoran there was no quit in these Lady Saders. One of the games highlights was by Georgie Messing who after scoring on a layup proceeded to steal the inbounds pass and drop in another layup while being fouled. She converted the free-throw which gave her 5 points in a matter of 3 seconds! Despite the large deficit through most of the game the Lady Crusaders never gave up and in fact the defensive effort was one of the more impressive efforts the team has given in this short season.

The 2^nd and 3^rd quarters saw the Crusaders only give up 23 points total to the Tigers despite giving up 24 in the 1^st quarter. Christendom cut the lead to 12 with just over 3 minutes to go in the game after Liz Ford went on a scoring barrage which included 10 straight points including 2 3 pointers. The 12 point margin was the closest the Lady Crusaders would reach as Trinity made a couple big shots down the stretch and pulled away to win 71-52. Gemma McMahon kept up her average with 4 blocks plus a double-double including 12 points and 10 rebounds not to mention 4 assists. Liz Ford finished with a career high 26 points including 4 from long range.

“So far this season we have talked so much about improving as a team and basing our success not on the scoreboard but on our effort and way we play the game. I couldn’t have been more proud of the women for the way we played and didn’t give up but rallied and made it a close game despite a slow start” said Coach Vander Woude after the game. The women get a much needed rest until their home opener this Thursday at 7pm against USCAA opponent Central Penn.