Fall Sports Review

Men’s & Women’s Cross Country

Led by Coach Dave Barstis, Holy Cross runners placed in intercollegiate competition this year for the first time. The team is led by seniors Nic Kovatch of South Bend, IN and Tim Holewczynski of New Carlisle, IN. “Running for Holy Cross helped me realize my full potential,” said Holewczynski. “It completed my search for mind, body, and spirit.” Tim was able to shave off seven minutes from the beginning of the season until his last race. “Running for Holy Cross College meant finally being able to assimilate two aspects of my life [academics and athletics] which I care for a lot,” said Kovatch.

Not to be outdone, the women’s team was also able to place for the first time. Freshman standout Victoria Scheid of Denver, CO led the Saints all year, including a great showing at the National Catholic Invitational at the University of Notre Dame. Scheid posted consistent scores including a time of 23:36 at the National Catholic. This was the first time that the women scored as a team. “It was a big day for our runners,” said Athletic Director Nathan Walker. “I am very pleased with the way our program has developed in a short period of time.”

Men’s Soccer

The men’s soccer team added ten freshmen to begin their 2008 campaign. First year Head Coach Thiago Pinto had his hands full with only two seniors on the roster and a knee injury that sidelined one of last year’s leading scorers, sophomore Ashley Wormall of Nottingham, UK for the year. However, the Saints collective effort in their second season as a varsity program led to a respectable final record of 7-10-2, including a 4-3 victory against Andrews University to end the season. Freshman goalkeeper Damien Marciniak of Michigan City, IN and freshman midfielder Romulo Nobrega of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil stepped up whenever the Saints needed them. Marciniak finished the year ranked 15th nationally in NAIA competition in saves per game (7.31) while Nobrega ended the year ranked 8th in shots per game (4.88), and 41st in goals per game (.75). Nobrega, and sophomore midfielder Oswaldo Garcia of Elkhart, IN were named to the all-conference second team in the Association of Independent Institutions (AII).

Women’s Soccer

Also battling injuries to key players, the Holy Cross College women’s soccer team had a great second season despite a 1-7 record. Much like the men’s team, the women fielded a very young team, including 9 freshmen and only 1 senior. However, freshman standout Valerie Patout of New Iberia, LA put together a terrific season for the Saints dividing her time between the sweeper and forward positions. Next fall will mark the first year as a varsity program for the women and it will be led by new coach Carlos Reynolds formerly of Marian High School. Head Coach Peter Holland is retiring from soccer. “Coach Holland has been an incredible help in developing a women’s program here on our campus,” said Athletic Director Nathan Walker. “His dedication to building a strong intercollegiate club program has prepared us to enter NAIA play next year.” The Saints have a full eighteen game schedule including a season opening matchup against St. Mary’s College.

New head coach Reynolds won the NIC coach of the year in 2006, his Marian High School squad achieved a semi-state appearance where they also earned ‘team of the year’ honors. As well as successful coaching experience, Reynolds also played professional soccer for the Panamanian Men’s National Team and in Panama’s Premier League. He holds a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame.