SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 | SPORTS | By Veronica Bianco (Sports Copy Editor) and Rex Karjian (Head Photo Editor)
Disclaimer: Veronica Bianco is a member of the women’s soccer team, while Rex Karjian is a member of the men’s soccer team. While working on this story, neither reporter covered or reported on their own team.
Women’s Soccer
After a 2024 season that saw substantial progress, the women’s soccer team has used that momentum to get the 2025 campaign off to a strong start. The Division I program, which competes in the Mountain West conference, has already played five matches this season, garnering a record of 2-1-2, including three clean sheets.
Juniors Regan Wallace and Kendall Memoly, as well as Finley Schoenbeck ‘28, were named to the Mountain West Watch List. Memoly and Schoenbeck combined for 10 goals last year, and Memoly has started her season off strongly, already securing four goals to her name. The Tigers also added multiple transfers who have already shown their skill, including Eden Palkovic ‘27, who was named the 2024 ICCAC Division II Player of the Year last season.
Captain Kylie Smith ‘26 made the team’s goals this year clear: win the Mountain West regular season and tournament.
“Getting the opportunity to host next year’s tournament and get some hardware for CC drives us,” said Smith. “With the positive atmosphere we’ve worked hard to build, we’re confident in this group and inspired by the things we have already accomplished this year.”
Women’s XC
The women’s cross-country team will have high expectations again this year as they aim to defend their SCAC title and qualify for the DIII National Meet for the second consecutive year. After recording their best-ever finish at the meet last year, finishing sixth, the Tigers will look to use that experience, as well as leadership from a strong core of upperclassmen, to succeed this year.
Despite losing a strong senior class, which included two All-American and one All-Region runner, the Tigers have a deep roster and an experienced coaching staff that sets them up for another successful campaign. Seniors Alison Mueller-Hickler and Abby Goodfried, and junior Charlie Flint all earned All-Region honors. Brooktie Frogge ‘26 and Liz White ‘26 were named to the All-Conference team.
Head coach Alex Nichols was also named SCAC coach of the year for the fourth straight year, highlighting the strong leadership of the program. Nichols, who graduated from CC in 2008 and coaches both the men’s and women’s teams, has won a combined eight SCAC titles since he took over in 2021.
Women’s Volleyball
The women’s volleyball team is looking to build upon a successful 2024 campaign, which saw them finish with an impressive record of 17-10. Despite graduating seven players, the Tigers return multiple All-SCAC honorees, including Carolyn Dormady ‘26, Camille Sherrill ‘27 and Brooke Brilliant ‘27.
With a strong core and talented first-year class, senior Libby Ochs has stated the team’s straightforward and ambitious goal of winning the SCAC Championship.
“It has been too long since CCVB [sic] has taken home that trophy, and this is our year,” Ochs said. She also emphasized the leadership of junior libero Meghan Gannon, highlighting the day-to-day leadership that has set the team up for success.
Last weekend, the Tigers hosted the 2025 Pikes Peak Challenge, which included multiple nationally ranked opponents residing in the top 25. While they lost to No. 22 UW-Eau Claire and No. 14 East Texas Baptist, they were able to pick up strong wins against Milwaukee School of Engineering and UW-Stevens Point, finishing the weekend with a record of 2-2.
Men’s Soccer
There are high expectations for the men’s soccer team this year: the Tigers were polled to finish first in the SCAC, and haven’t lost a conference game since October 2021. They’re also coming off two consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, the more successful of which saw them make it to the quarterfinal round.
Eight seniors graduated last year, leaving big shoes to fill for CC’s returners. The junior class consists of 11 players, including former SCAC Newcomer of the Year Jack Hilliard and Wyatt Linggi, last season’s leading goal-scorer. The Tigers return important defensive presences as well: goalkeepers Alex Wolter and Spencer Besselaar combined for the seventh-best goals-against average last season as sophomores.
The Tigers also added 11 freshmen to their ranks, several of whom have already found ways to make an impact. Whit Hynes and Connor Salita both started CC’s first two games, and Ewen Robertson scored in both.
“With both such a large class graduating last year and incoming class this year, it is really a new slate to continue to build the winning culture of CC,” said midfielder Zeke Lubin ‘27.
CC opened the season last week with a 3-0 win against DePauw University and followed it up with a chippy 2-2 tie against Wheaton College. The Tigers are set to play Whitman College on Thursday, Sept. 4 in their home opener before facing Cal Lutheran on Friday to celebrate the program’s 75th birthday.
Men’s XC
The men’s cross country team is gearing up for what could be one of the best seasons in program history. The Tigers are returning every single runner from last year’s team, including All-American Will Shuflit ‘27, who placed 30th at NCAA DIII nationals in 2024.
“With so much depth, I anticipate this being one of the best men’s cross country teams in program history,” said head coach Alex Nichols.
CC narrowly missed out on a national championship qualifying bid in 2024. Nichols says that the team is fired up to get there this year.
The Tigers open up their season this Saturday at UCCS before running at home in the Ted Castaneda Classic at the end of the month.