RIVER FOREST, ILL. — Concordia University Chicago (CUC) athletics are back in full swing. So take a second to catch up on all the action from last week's opening week of play.

Women's Soccer (1-1, 0-0)

Women's soccer started their season this past Friday with a 4-0 loss at Augustana College. Katelyn Wagner (Lagrange, Ky.) made her collegiate debut in goal where she made five total saves.

The team then turned around and picked up their first win of the season with a 1-0 shutout of Spalding University (Ky.) in Sunday's home opener. Freshman Jennifer Reyna (Rochester, Minn.) scored her first career collegiate goal while Brooke Sheriff (Simi Valley, Calif.) stood tall in net, making 10 saves to secure the shutout. 

Three more non-conference games await women's soccer this week. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the Cougars welcome Ripon College to River Forest for a 2 p.m. game. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 7, CUC hosts Coe College at 1 p.m. for Senior Day. The week closes out on Sunday, Sept. 8, with a 2 p.m. trip to Elmhurst University. 

Men's Soccer (0-1, 0-0)

Concordia's men's soccer team begin their 2024 campaign on Sunday with their home opener versus Carthage College. CUC struck first thanks to Michael Senese (Naperville, Ill.)'s first career goal, but three straight scores from Carthage helped them down the Cougars 3-1.

The Cougars now get most of this week off before resuming action on Saturday, Sept. 7, at University of St. Francis (Ill.). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

Cross Country

CUC cross country hosted their first cross country meet since 2004 on Friday with the North Park / CUC Early Invitational. 

On the men's side, William Leonard (Oskaloosa, Iowa) was the team's highest finisher while five other Cougars set new personal records. 

As for the women's team, the squad was able to honor its two seniors, Ariel Martinez (Berwyn, Ill.) and Tegan Oas (Shingle Springs, Calif.), at the home meet. Those two then finished in 13th and 19th place respectively among all runners. Oas, along with every CUC runner behind her, established a new personal record as well. 

Both squads get some time off now before competing again on Sept. 14 at the Ken Weidt Classic. 

Women's Volleyball (0-3, 0-0)

Women's volleyball could be found in Maryville, Tennessee, this weekend, opening their season at the Maryville Tournament. 

Game one was on Friday, a 3-2 loss to Brevard College. Lili Hunt (Greenfield, Ind.) and Jessalyne Perkins (Chicago, Ill.) finished as the only two Cougars with double-digit kills, while freshman Malainna Adler (Fenton, Mo.) impressed with 37 assists in her collegiate debut. Fellow freshman Janelle White (Morton Grove, Ill.) picked up 22 digs in the loss.

Saturday featured a double-header for CUC. The Cougars were swept in the first game at the hands of Randolph-Macon College. Hunt and Akasia Brown (Addison, Ill.) led the way in kills with seven each, while Adler dished out 23 assists. White once again put up the most digs on the team with nine.

The tournament ended Saturday night with a 3-1 loss to the host, Maryville College. This time, it was Brooke Christensen (Blaine, Minn.) who led the kills category for CUC with 12. Adler continued to impress with another 25 assists to her name, while defensively, White snagged 14 digs and Hunt and Perkins made six blocks each. 

It is a busy upcoming week for the Cougars, and it starts on Wednesday, Sept. 4, with the home opener against Kalamazoo College at 6 p.m. The team then hosts the Concordia-Chicago Quad on Saturday, Sept. 7. CUC will play Blackburn College at 11 a.m., and then Fontbonne University at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, Wilkes University and Fontbonne play at 11 a.m. and then Wilkes and Blackburn play at 1 p.m. The Cougars will have two courts in action. 

Women's Tennis

The 2024 women's tennis season begins on Saturday, Sept. 7, at home against Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference opponent the Milwaukee School of Engineering at 10 a.m. Lawrence University then comes to town on Sunday, Sept. 8, for a 1 p.m. game. 

Football

Football begins the Chase Hankins era on Saturday, Sept. 7, when they travel south to Greenville University for a 1 p.m. game.