Happy Monday, Knights! Welcome to this week's edition of The Knightcap, where each week, you can catch up on what you may have missed around the world of Marian Athletics last week and preview what's ahead for the Knights this week.
 
AT HOME THIS WEEK
Friday, Nov. 13
- Women's Basketball vs. Anderson (Ind.), 6:30 p.m. - Banner Night
 
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MEN'S BASKETBALL
Marian Men's Basketball earned a win in the home opener over IU Southeast on Tuesday, marking the first Marian win for first-year head coach Steve Drabyn. Aidan Franks scored 28 points off the bench in the win.
 
The Knights fell in both games in Michigan over the weekend to Lawrence Tech and host 22nd-ranked Madonna.
 
Marian is back in action in Michigan on Tuesday, traveling to Cornerstone at 7 p.m.
 
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Marian Women's Soccer defeated Taylor on the road in the Crossroads League quarterfinal to advance to Friday's semifinal. The Knights trailed 1-0 at halftime on the road against 2nd-ranked Grace, but scored three second-half goals to hand the Lancers just their second loss on the season.
 
The Knights will play for the Crossroads League Tournament title on Tuesday, traveling to third-ranked Indiana Wesleyan at 7 p.m.
 
MEN'S SOCCER
Marian Men's Soccer handled business at home over Grace in the Crossroads League quarterfinal, defeating the Lancers 5-2. Then, on Saturday, 110 minutes was not enough to separate the Knights and third-seeded and 15th-ranked Bethel, as the teams entered penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw. Marian buried all four of its penalty kick attempts to join the women in the CL final.
 
The Knights will also head to Indiana Wesleyan for the CL Tournament title match. The men will play on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
 
VOLLEYBALL
Marian Volleyball fell to Mount Vernon Nazarene on Wednesday in four sets in the regular season finale. The Knights were swept in the Crossroads League quarterfinal at 20th-ranked Grace on Saturday.
 
The Knights await their postseason fate with the NAIA Women's Volleyball Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 16.
 
CROSS COUNTRY
Fifth-ranked Marian Men's Cross Country earned their first Crossroads League title since 2016 with a victory at the TUXC Farm in Upland, Ind. on Friday.
 
Tristan Trevino and Charlie Leedke led the way with runner-up and third-place finishes, respectively. Benjamin Riehle and Eli Balbach earned the other top-15 finishes for the Knights with 10th- and 14th-place finishes, respectively.
 
Marian's women placed fourth in the Crossroads League Championships, as Gracynn Hinkley finished seventh. The Knights will learn whether they will advance to the NAIA National Championships early this week.
 
WRESTLING
Marian Wrestling traveled to Muskegon, Mich. this past weekend for the Ben McMullen Open, a freshman-only competition.
 
The Knights will travel to Iowa this weekend, competing in the Grand View Open on Saturday.
 
FOOTBALL
Sixth-ranked Marian Football piled on 70 points in its 70-14 win over Saint Xavier to claim at least a share of the MSFA Midwest League title, earning the league's automatic bid to the NAIA Football Championship Series.
 
Jackson Reece recorded a pick-six and Dean Mason averaged 53 yards across two punts, as both earned MSFA Player of the Week honors for their performance.
 
The Knights close out the regular season at Judson on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. ET.
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Marian Women's Basketball made its home debut on Saturday with a 72-41 win over Culver-Stockton. Olivia Faust scored a team-best 15 points in the win.
 
The Knights will celebrate their 2026 NAIA National Championship with the unveiling of the championship banner this Friday, hosting Anderson (Ind.) at 6:30 p.m.
 
RUGBY
Marian Rugby won the Big Rivers Rugby Conference Tournament title on Saturday, defeating Aquinas 18-12. The Knights successfully defended their title after winning the tournament title a season ago.
 
The Knights earned a bye in the opening round of the National Collegiate Rugby national tournament. They'll face the winner of Belmont Abbey and Southern Nazarene in the national quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 21.
 
CYCLING
Marian Cycling is back in action this weekend in cyclocross, competing at Treason CX on Saturday and the Boiler Cross Conference Championships on Sunday.