RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Concordia University Chicago (CUC) athletics dove right into the fall season this past weekend. Check out all the action and what's to come this week.
 
Women's Soccer (0-2, 0-0)
Women's soccer competed in two contests this past weekend.

The Cougars first hosted Elmhurst University. The Bluejays proved to be a tough opponent, defeating CUC 4-0. Stacey Maskery (Alfreton, England) recorded the lone shot up top for the Cougars while Naomi Gonzales (Santa Rosa, Calif.) and  Brooke Sheriff (Simi Valley, Calif.) combined for five saves in net.
After a day off, CUC hosted University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Despite a hard-fought battle, the Cougars fell 2-0. Gonzales picked up a career-high nine saves on 21 shots faced, while Erika Flores (Oxnard, Calif.) led the offense with two shots on goal.

This week, women's soccer remains busy with three games. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, the Cougars will host Carthage College at 1:00 pm. Then on Friday, Sept. 5, University of Dubuque comes to River Forest for a 3:00 pm game. CUC will round out the week on the road, traveling to Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. for a 1:00 pm game.
 
Men's Soccer (0-0-1, 0-0)
The men's soccer team opened the season at home against Lawrence University. It was a high intensity, physical battle that ended in a 2-2 tie. In the 56^th minute, Nethan Gudiel (Chicago, Ill.) punted the ball down the field, which dropped to Michael Senese (Naperville, Ill.), who headed it up to  Bernardo Delgado (Morelia, Michoacán), who scored the first goal of the season. The Vikings answered back quickly and took a 2-1 lead. However, in the 77^th minute, the Cougars were awarded a free kick and Giovanni Velasquez (Cicero, Ill.)  stepped up to slot it into the net to tie the game at 2-2.

This week, CUC will remain at home for three games. On Monday, Sept. 1, the Cougars will welcome Andrews University for a 5:30 pm start. Then on Wednesday, Sept. 3, Blackburn College comes to Concordia Stadium for a 3:00 pm kickoff. The Cougars' final game of the week will be Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1:00 pm. CUC will host Caltech.
 
Women's Volleyball (1-3, 0-0)
The women's volleyball team started its season in Ohio at the Great Lakes Crossover Tournament, where the Cougars went 1-3.

On day one of the tournament, CUC had two matches. The Cougars first played Muskingum University. Despite falling 3-0, CUC had a lot of highlights to begin the season.  Eva Fitzgerald (Houston, Texas) made her mark on the court, putting up 20 assists while  Kate Foley (Milwaukee, Wis.) and  Lili Hunt (Greenfield, Ind.) led the squad offensively with nine and seven kills, respectively. Defensively, Janelle White (Morton Grove, Ill.) totaled 16 digs. The second match of the day was against Baldwin Wallace University. The Cougars won the second set of the match but ultimately fell 3-1. Rachel Livesay (Medinah, Ill.) emerged as the offensive leader against the Yellowjackets, recording 11 kills while Hunt had 10. Fitzgerald continued to shine with 24 assists Malainna Adler (Fenton, Mo.) registered 16. Indiah Day (Merrillville, Ind.) and  Bethany Roethel (Westby, Wis.) put up 15 and 13 digs, respectively.

The Cougars started day two of the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Franciscan University of Steubenville. Day led the Cougars offensively, recording 15 kills while also tallying 13 digs. White had an all-around great match with 20 digs, three aces, and three assists. Adler and Fitzgerald split the wealth with 26 and 17 assists, respectively. In match two of the day, CUC fell to the Student Princes of Heidelberg University, 3-0. Hunt and Neva Foster (Parker, Colo.) led the offense with seven kills each while White recorded 10 digs and four assists.

This week, CUC will have its home opener. The Cougars will welcome Blackburn College to Geiseman Gymnasium, with first serve at 11:00 am.
 
Cross Country
The Cougars co-hosted the NPU/CUC Early Invitational to kick off the season. Before the races, CUC celebrated its four seniors, Alfredo Jaramillo-Ruiz (Lyons, Ill.), Kam Jackson (Chicago, Ill.),  William Leonard (Oskaloosa, Iowa), and Jazael Rodriguez (Berwyn, Ill.) for their contributions to the program.

On the men's side, the Cougars finished sixth out of seven teams. In his first collegiate race, Dominic Carlson (Loves Park, Ill.) crossed the line first for the Cougars, finishing 16^th overall with a time of 17:51.5. Donovan Depakakibo (Norridge, Ill.), Nathaniel Boksa (Norridge, Ill.), Nathaniel Hernandez (Harwood Heights,Ill.), and Leonard rounded out the top five.

For the women, Rose Losey (Royal Oak, Mich.) led the way in her first collegiate meet. She finished 25^th with a time of 22:12.2. Sarah Redhage (Lowden, Iowa), Marlena Butler and Addi McKee (Knoxville, Ill.) rounded out the Cougars' lineup.

The Cougars will be back in action on Sept. 13, at the Spartan XC Classic in Geneva, Ill.
 
Football (0-0, 0-0)
The football team will begin the 2025 season this Saturday, Sept. 6, at home. CUC will host University of Minnesota Morris at 11:00 am.
 
Women's Tennis (0-0, 0-0)
The women's tennis team kicks off its season on Thursday, Sept. 4. The Cougars will host Waubonsee Community College at 4:00 pm. They will then play Lawrence at 4:00 pm on Friday, Sept. 5, in River Forest.
 
You can keep up with all things CUC Athletics on Twitter @CUChicagoSports, watch all the action at cucougars.com/coverage, and view all photos from the seasons here.