MEDIA, Pa. — Conference play is right around the corner for Penn State Brandywine’s fall teams following three weeks of non-conference matchups for the squads. Here is a look back at all of last week’s athletics action at Brandywine:
Volleyball
The volleyball team was the first to get into its conference schedule, opening Penn State University Athletic Conference play with a sweep of Penn State Hazleton on Thursday. Following four consecutive non-conference setbacks to begin the season, the defending-conference champion Lions knocked off Hazleton 3-0 for their 19th-straight PSUAC victory. Despite missing three starters due to injury, Brandywine managed to hold off the hosts, aided by the efforts of freshmen Julia Miles (31 assists, 10 digs) and Sydney Stevens (8 kills, 14 digs).
Earlier in the week, the Lions dropped a trio of matches to NCAA Division III opponents. Brandywine was defeated in three sets by King’s and in four sets by both Bryn Mawr and Gwynedd Mercy during its season-opening 14-match road trip, which continues with two more matches during the next seven days.
Cross country
A pair of Brandywine freshmen continued their strong starts to cross country season on Saturday at Lebanon Valley College’s Dutchman Invitational. Brian Abel broke the program’s 8K record by 56 seconds, crossing the finish line in 28:02. One week earlier, Abel made history by becoming the first runner from Brandywine to ever claim an individual championship. Catharine Mooney also ran to the second-fastest 6K time in women’s program history. Mooney now owns top-five marks in both 5K and 6K races at Brandywine through two collegiate competitions.
Men's soccer
Brandywine opened the season without a loss through three games for the first time since 1998 before suffering its first setback, a 2-0 loss at former rival Penn State Abington on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, Brandywine senior Brandon Crochunis was named PSUAC Player of the Week following a pair of two-goal performances in Brandywine’s victories over Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata. Sophomore net minder Brandon Welden recorded his second national goalkeeper of the week honor of the season after recording his second-career shutout against Immaculata.
Brandywine, in the midst of a six-game road trip, travels to another former conference rival, Penn State Altoona, on Saturday. The teams will be meeting for the first time since 2004.
Women's soccer
Brandywine fell at Ursinus 6-0 during its only match last week. The Lions were held without a goal for the first time in their short three-year history. Despite the loss, junior Brianna Banks was named PSUAC Player of the Week following her three-goal game at Wesley on Sept. 5. Banks’ hat trick was her eighth during her 31-game career.
A look at the week ahead:
Saturday, Sept. 15
- Women’s Soccer at Cabrini - Noon
- Men’s Soccer at Penn State Altoona - 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 16
- Men’s golf at Swarthmore/Neumann Invitational - 10 a.m.
- Volleyball at Penn State Scranton - 2 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 17
- Men’s soccer at Rosemont - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 18
- Women’s soccer at Penn State Lehigh Valley - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 19
- Men’s golf at Penn State Schuylkill Invitational - 10 a.m.
- Men’s soccer at Penn State York - 4 p.m.
- Volleyball at Penn State Schuylkill - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 22
- Cross country at Penn State Mont Alto Invitational - 11 a.m.
- Men’s and women’s tennis at DeSales - 11 a.m.
- Women’s soccer at Penn State Beaver - 2 p.m.
- Volleyball at Ursinus - 3 p.m.
- Men’s soccer at Penn State Beaver - 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 23
- Men’s soccer at Penn State Greater Allegheny - Noon
- Volleyball at Penn State Lehigh Valley - 2 p.m.
For more information on Penn State Brandywine athletics, visit psubrandywineathletics.com.