JOLIET, Ill.--- Week one of the 2021-22 year is in the books, and we look ahead to the second week, with another team getting their season started.
Women's Soccer (1-0-0): The USF women's soccer team started the season on a high note last week. After the home and season opener was suspended due to rain and lighting, the Saints ended the week with a beat down of Cleary 9-0 on Saturday afternoon. Litzy Mendez led the offense with two goals. The nine goals in a match were the most for the program since October 2, 2012. There is just a single match on the schedule this week, with the Saints heading to Ingold Athletic Complex to take on Goshen College. USF has won the last two matchups with Goshen, last defeating the Maple Leafs 2-1 in Joliet back in September of 2015.
Men's Soccer (0-3-0): USF had a tough opening week, competing three times under intense heat. The Saints were unable to pick up a win in the three matches. Sergio Fernandez-Arango picked up the first goal of the season in the match with Goshen. It will be just a single match this week for USF, when they head to Dalzell Field in Dubuque, Iowa to take on Clarke University. The Saints are 2-2 against Clarke since 2011. The two sides last met in 2019, with Clarke coming away with a 2-0 victory.
Volleyball (0-4): The Saints look to rebound in the second week of the season. USF was unable to come away with a victory in the opening tournament of the year, falling in the Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tournament. Desiree Anderson was the big performer for USF, recording three double-doubles on the weekend. The Saints open CCAC play this week when they head to Gary, Indiana to take on Indiana University Northwest. USF defeated the Red Hawks twice last season by scores of 3-0. St. Francis then heads to Mishawaka, Indiana for the Liz Hossler Labor Day Classic on Friday and Saturday. The weekend begins with a matchup with #25 ranked Bethel University. USF closes the opening day of the tournament by taking on Concordia University (Mich.). The second day of the tournament will pit USF against Cumberland University and the Indiana Institute of Technology.
Cross Country: The defending national champion women's team and the preseason #8 nationally ranked men's team get the 2021 season started this week. USF hosts the annual St. Francis Twighlight Invite at Channahon State Park on Friday afternoon. When the event last took place back in the fall of 2019, the USF women took second overall and the men placed third.
Links to coverage of all contests when available can be found at gofightingsaints.com/coverage. You can also keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on Twitter @USFSaints.
