Brandywine Athletics Week in Review: Aug. 31 to Sept. 6

MEDIA, Pa. — Six of Penn State Brandywine’s fall teams opened the 2018 fall seasons last week, highlighted by a pair of record-setting races for the cross-country teams and a victory by the men’s soccer squad.

Brandywine cross-country got its year started in style at the Delaware Valley Invitational on Sept. 1 as freshman Brian Abel became the first Brandywine cross-country runner to to claim an individual championship. He won the 30-man, 6K race by 44 seconds during his collegiate debut.

On the women’s side, classmate Catharine Mooney crossed the finish line in second place. She posted the fifth-fastest 6K time in Brandywine history, running to a time of 27:10. Overall, each of Brandywine’s six competitors finished in the top 12 in their respective races.

For their exploits, both Abel and Mooney landed United States Collegiate Athletic Association and Penn State University Athletic Conference Runner of the Week awards.

Men’s soccer played Manor College to a 2-2 draw to open the season on Sept. 1. Freshman Joey Cairy netted the game-tying goal with less than four minutes to play in regulation and was awarded PSUAC Player of the Week, while goalkeeper Brandon Welden set a career high with 13 saves. Welden landed the USCAA Goalkeeper of the Week award.

Three days later, Brandywine torched the Gwynedd Mercy University defense for five goals in a lopsided 5-1 road victory. Senior Brandon Crochunis recorded his first two goals of the season.

At 1-0-1, Brandywine men’s soccer is unbeaten through two games for the first time since 2001. The Lions have not been undefeated in three-straight games to begin a season since opening the 1998 campaign 3-0.

Brandywine women’s soccer battled Wesley College back-and-forth before ultimately dropping a 4-3 decision. The Lions battled back from a trio of one-goal deficits, tying the game each time on a goal from junior Brianna Banks. Banks’ hat trick was the eighth of her career. She owns 53 goals during 31 career matches at Brandywine.

Volleyball came up short during its season debut on Sept. 4, falling at Wilkes University 3-0. The Lions led during each set, but late Wilkes’ rallies helped the home team escape in straight sets. Freshman Jade Maloney topped the team with six kills, while Lauren Kelly posted a team-high 13 digs.

Brandywine golf was the final fall team to get its season started, posting a seventh-place showing at the PSUAC Invitational on the University’s White Course in State College on Sept. 6. Led by senior Austin Aurillo’s round of 84, Brandywine carded a five-man team total of 347 strokes to take seventh in the 10-team field.

A look at the week ahead:

Saturday, Sept. 8
Cross-country at Lebanon Valley - 10:15 a.m.
Volleyball at King’s (PA) - 11 a.m.
Volleyball vs. Gwynedd Mercy (at King’s) - 1 p.m.
Men’s soccer vs. Immaculata - 1 p.m.
Women’s soccer at Ursinus - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 12
Men’s golf at Penn State DuBois Invitational - 11 a.m.
Men’s soccer at Penn State Abington - 4 p.m.
Volleyball at Bryn Mawr - 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 13
Volleyball at Penn State Hazleton - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 15
Women’s tennis vs. Kean - noon
Women’s soccer at Cabrini - noon
Men’s soccer at Penn State Altoona - 1 p.m. 

Sunday, Sept. 16
Men’s golf at Neumann/Swarthmore - 10 a.m.
Volleyball at Penn State Scranton - 2 p.m.

For more information on Penn State Brandywine athletics, visit psubrandywineathletics.com.