COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The No. 7 ranked Crusaders opened their 2024 season with a 15-8 neutral site victory over the #RV Benedictine Raves behind five points from both Zachary Lane and Shane Alexander.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Crusaders set the tone early, scoring two unanswered goals in the first quarter. The first strike would come from Zachary Lane off an assists from Dylan Hicks, the other would be an unassisted goal from the 2023 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Newcomer of the Year, Shane Alexander. The Crusaders' defense would be stellar in the first not allowing a single goal, thanks to four caused turnovers by the Crusaders and five saves from goalie Jeff Varner.

In the second, the Ravens would cut into the Crusaders lead thanks to a extra man opportunity. With the score now being 2-1 in favor of Madonna, the Crusaders kicked it into high gear and rattled off a 7-0 run making it a 9-1 game with 2:11 left in the half. Coming out of the half, the Crusaders kept the momentum as they struck first thanks to a goal by Reid Dunavant making it 10-1 in favor of Madonna. 

However, the Ravens didn't roll over, they showed why they're getting votes in the Preseason NAIA Coaches' Top 10 Poll. Benedictine rattled off a 5-0 run of their own and made this a game again, making it a 10-6 ball game. On the Crusaders' ensuing possession, Nick Bryden found the back of the net to extend the Crusaders lead to 11-6 headed into the fourth.

In between periods, Coach Matta and his coaching staff must've said all the right things because Madonna came out and closed the fourth on a 4-2 run the secure their season opening victory 15-8.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Varner was a brick wall today as he made 21 saves. After today, Varner is now 72 saves away from breaking the NAIA record for Most Saves in a Career
• Lane lead the Crusaders with five goals on the day
• Alexander also racked up five points, having three goals and two assists 
• Bryden recorded four points on the afternoon, scoring three goals and added an assist
• Dunavant, Hicks and Kyle Gudme all recorded three points on the day as well

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders are back in action tomorrow when they take on #RV Columbia College (Mo.) at 1:00 p.m.

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