WARRIORS FALL TO CRUSADERS IN ACTION-PACKED AFFAIR

LIVONIA, Mich. - After a hard-fought four quarters of action, the Warriors couldn't overcome the Madonna Crusaders on Saturday night, falling 10-8. The Warriors and Crusaders found themselves neck-and-neck throughout the contest, with RCU staying in distance thanks to some major offensive plays. Junior Jessica Cadman led the Warriors in scoring with four goals, while four other Warriors produced scores in the action-packed affair. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The Crusaders were the first team to strike, scoring a goal four minutes into the contest. However, RCU was determined to counter, with Cadman attacking the Crusader net and firing a goal into the back of the net after getting through several Madonna defenders. Things remained even to the end of the first quarter. 

The Warriors caught fire offensively in the second quarter, beginning with a free-position goal by Samantha Johns with nine minutes remaining in the period after drawing a foul. Under two minutes later, the Warriors capitalized again thanks to Cadman, who jostled for position to score another solo goal. The run continued with another free-position goal by Natalie Soule for her first career goal, helping RCU take a 4-1 lead. However, the Crusaders rallied to end the period, scoring two goals in a minute-and-a-half of play to close RCU's lead to 4-3 at half. 

SECOND HALF

The Crusaders kept up their momentum with a goal two minutes into the second half to knot things up at 4-4, and the game turned into a defensive battle for much of the period. After a slew of forced turnovers by both teams, the Crusaders tacked on three unanswered goals with under six minutes remaining to take a 7-4 lead. With things looking tough for the Warriors, RCU found grit when they needed it most, scoring two goals in a man-up position to cut the deficit to one with a quarter to go. 

The fourth quarter kept the match excitement going, with Madonna scoring on a free-position shot to take a two-goal lead. However, Cadman continued to dominate the action, answering with a free-position goal to keep the game at 8-7 Madonna. After the Crusaders scored another goal to go back up two, it was Olivia Soule's turn to score, finding the back of the net after a tough draw control by Gracie Phelps. The Crusaders would score again with 6:30 remaining, with RCU unable to get back into the scoring column for the remainder of the game. 

STAT OF THE GAME 

Cadman's four goals are a career-high and the most goals scored by a Warrior in a single game since the 2022-23 season. 

UP NEXT 

RCU challenges the Aquinas Saints on Mar. 19 in Grand Rapids. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications