Lady Crusaders Win Season Opener

Front Royal, Va.- The Christendom Crusaders opened their 2025 season with a gritty, team-oriented 51–48 win over Penn State York, relying on collective defensive effort, toughness on the boards, and timely execution down the stretch.

Christendom set the tone early, using disciplined defensive pressure to build a 15–5 lead after the first quarter. Momentum shifted in the second, however, as foul trouble—particularly to forward Lucy Pennefather, who spent much of the period on the bench—allowed PSU York to climb back and take a 24–20 lead into halftime.

Refocused after the break, the Crusaders responded with renewed defensive intensity and stronger rebounding, gradually regaining control of the tempo. Their steady push in the third quarter nudged them back in front, 36–35, heading into a tightly contested final frame. In the fourth, Christendom's composure and team defense carried them through, holding off PSU York in the closing minutes to secure the season-opening victory.

Mary Pennefather led the way with an outstanding all-around performance, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists while knocking down six of her eleven attempts from three. Her sister Lucy delivered a dominant effort of her own despite limited second-quarter minutes, contributing 18 points, 16 rebounds, and four steals to fuel Christendom's interior presence on both ends.

Up Next: With the win, Christendom begins the season 1–0. They travel to Staunton on December 3 to take on Mary Baldwin University.