Cross Country
Battling injuries and roster issues, the cross country team was forced to compete with limited numbers. Despite the disadvantage, both the men’s and the women’s teams generated several respectable finishes throughout the course of the season. The women produced their best effort of the year in early September at the Immaculata Invitational when the group cruised to a sixth place finish, a mark good enough to rank the Crimson Eagles ahead of five competing CSAC schools. The men’s team ran their best finish during the CSAC Championship, placing sixth overall for the second straight year.
Men’s Soccer
(7-11-2) Coming off a third place finish in the NCCAA National Tournament a year ago, the men’s soccer team had high expectations entering the 2009 season, returning six of the group’s top nine scorers. Following a forgettable opening day, the Crimson Eagles pressed forward, going 3-1-1 over their next five matches, a span that included a 0-0 draw against a Widener squad that went into the game having won six straight matches against PBU. However, the group’s early momentum was thwarted as the Crimson Eagles went just 3-8-1 the remainder of the regular season. After earning the top seed in the NCCAA East Region Tournament, PBU was upset 1-0 at home in the championship bout against Lancaster Bible College to end their hopes of a fifth consecutive National Tournament appearance.
Women’s Soccer
(5-13-1) Entering the 2009 season, the women’s soccer team faced the obstacle of replacing 13 veterans from a season ago, a number that included seven routine starters. During the group’s struggle to find the back of the net early on, the Crimson Eagles connected for just three scores throughout the team’s first nine games. At the Crimson Celebration, the drought was erased during a seven score explosion as the group rolled over Keystone College during the program’s biggest win in two years. PBU began postseason play with a drama-filled 2-1 win over Lancaster Bible College in the opening round of the East Region Tournament but was stopped short four days later as Baptist Bible College overcame the Crimson Eagles for the seventh time in as many years during the Regional Championship.
Women’s Tennis
(3-11) Having come out triumphant in just two outings over the past two years, the women’s tennis team jumpstarted the current season by matching that win total through their first three matches. The Crimson Eagles dropped Penn State Abington at home before following up with their second triumph in as many games, grinding out a thrilling 5-4 nailbiter over Lancaster Bible College. PBU’s hot streak eased over the ensuing two weeks but the group ended up collecting their first ever CSAC win in late September during a 6-3 clash with the College of Notre Dame. Despite closing out the season on a six game skid, the tennis team’s three wins marked the most the group has managed in a single year since 2002.
Women’s Volleyball
(20-15) Returning four of six starters, the volleyball squad began the season somewhat rocky, winning just three times through their first seven matches. The group then put together a five game winning combination, highlighted by a 3-1 triumph over rival Baptist Bible College. The team came out battle-tested from the regular season, going 8-3 in conference action while overcoming several highly touted programs. Playoff competition saw PBU collect their third-straight NCCAA East Region title following a 3-0 sweep of Lancaster Bible College, but the group would fail to advance out of pool play during the NCCAA National Tournament in Florida. Shifting focus towards CSAC postseason play, the Crimson Eagles advanced to the conference championship for the first time in PBU history but were overcome by Cabrini College, 3-0.
[framed_box]Visit the Crimson Eagles’ website for continuing updates, rosters, photos, and recaps of Crimson Eagles athletic competitions.
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