The first week of Geneva College athletics is in the books with mixed results across the board. Each of Genevaâ??s five fall athletic programs opened play last week and at times found the road to be a little rough. Genevaâ??s volleyball team opened play by splitting four matches at the University of Mount Union Tournament, the menâ??s soccer team won one and tied one at the Carnegie Mellon University tournament while the menâ??s cross country team did something it hadnâ??t done since 2006.

After posting a pair of second place finishes at its own 5K race on Thursday at Brush Creek Park, the menâ??s and womenâ??s cross country teams were challenged by a strong field and some of the most oppressive running conditions in years on Saturday at Westminster. Geneva freshman Heidi Steiner made a sterling debut on Thursday as she picked up the individual victory with a time of 21:49. She was joined by four other teammates in the top 25. In menâ??s action, Nick Edinger took home second place as a group of four Geneva men crossed the line in the top ten. On Saturday, Genevaâ??s men finished fourth out of 16 schools at the Fischer Invitational on the campus of Westminster. Included in the schoolâ??s Geneva defeated were PAC foes Grove City, Westminster, Waynesburg and Bethany. It was the first time since 2006 that a Geneva menâ??s cross country team had out dueled Grove City. Despite intense heat, Owen Struck finished seventh overall with a mark of 28:27 on the 8K course. Genevaâ??s cross country will take a week to recover and be back on the course this Saturday at Waynesburg.

Coming off a 26-5 season in 2010, the expectations for Genevaâ??s volleyball team are at an all-time high. On Friday, the Golden Tornadoes picked up where they left off with victories over Allegheny and Saint Maryâ??s to open the season. On Saturday, Geneva lost a heartbreaking five game match to 17th ranked Hope before falling in three games to Case Western Reserve. Maggie Bowersox was named to the All-Tournament team for her stellar play, including a 16-kill effort in the victory over Saint Maryâ??s. She also combined for 17 kills in the two matches on Saturday afternoon. Opening the campaign with a mark of 2-2, the Golden Tornadoes will begin PAC play on Wednesday night at Washington & Jefferson.

Much like the volleyball team, the menâ??s soccer team has its sights set on some lofty goals for 2011. Opening the season against a very good Carnegie Mellon team on Friday, Geneva watched a 2-0 halftime lead slip away and was forced to settle for a 2-2 tie. Jake McCracken and Jeremy Troutman found the net for Geneva in the season opener. On Saturday, McCrackenâ??s penalty kick goal was all the offense Geneva would need in a 1-0 victory over Otterbein College. Freshman goalkeeper Bryan Butler, making his first collegiate start, made four saves to pick up his first victory and first shut-out. The Golden Tornadoes open their home schedule on Tuesday night when they welcome Fredonia State to Merriman Athletic Complex.

In womenâ??s soccer, Geneva and Pitt-Bradford played to a scoreless tie at the half before UPB managed to find the net twice in the second half of a 2-0 final score. The Golden Tornadoes, who opened the 2010 season with an 8-0-3 record, did not manage a shot in the final 45 minutes of the game and fell to 0-1 on the young season. Freshman goalkeeper Sara Mittner made her collegiate debut and made six saves in her first game for the Golden Tornadoes.

The Geneva tennis team opened its season with matches on Friday and Saturday. Playing the first official Geneva event within the Presidentsâ?? Athletic Conference, the Golden Tornadoes dropped a 9-0 decision to Saint Vincent College on Friday afternoon. With a quick turnaround and a five hour trip, Geneva visited Cedarville on Saturday and dropped a 7-1 decision to the Yellow Jackets. Genevaâ??s lone victory came from the doubles tandem of Julie Kline and Amy Weller. Klineâ??s singles match was postponed midway through the second set because of the heat. Geneva will seek its first victory on Friday when they travel to defending PAC champion Grove City College for another PAC challenge.

In front of over 5000 spectators on a free admission Community Night, the Geneva football team opened its 2011 season with a 34-21 loss to Frostburg State. Geneva watched Frostburg jumped out to a 14-0 lead just four minutes into the game. The Golden Tornadoes rebounded with 14 points of their own including touchdowns from Jordan Curry and AJ Delmonico. The Golden Tornadoes had two touchdowns called back because of holding penalties and Frostburg took advantage with a pair of second half touchdowns. Corey Oâ??Patchenâ??s 30 yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter proved to be too little, too late. Sophomore quarterback Zack Hayward made his starting debut by throwing for 299 yards on 23-42. Defensively, Geneva got seven tackles each Dillon Goodell, Marcus Costanza and Scott Erb to lead the way. Geneva will take to the road this week when it travels to Albright College as part of the PAC-MAC Challenge of 2011.

Following is the complete athletic schedule for the week of Sept. 5:

Tues., Sept. 6 Women's Soccer vs Penn State Beaver 4 p.m.
Men's Soccer vs Fredonia St. 7 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 7 Volleyball at W&J 7 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 8 Women's Soccer vs Mt. Aloyius 4:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 9 Tennis at Grove City 4 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 10 Cross Country at Waynesburg 11 a.m.
Volleyball vs Grove City 11 a.m.
vs Waynesburg 3 p.m.
Tennis at Thiel 1 p.m.
Womenâ??s Soccer vs Medaille 2 p.m.
Football at Albright 6 p.m.
Men's Soccer vs Penn State Altoona 7 p.m.


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