Happy Monday, Knights! Welcome to this week's edition of The Knightcap, where each Monday, you can catch up on what you may have missed in the world of Marian Athletics last week and preview what's ahead for the Knights this week.
 
AT HOME THIS WEEK
Tuesday, Sept. 1
- #5 Women's Soccer vs. #2 Cumberlands - 7 p.m. - Ascension St. Vincent Field
 
Wednesday, Sept. 2
- Men's Soccer vs. Saint Xavier - 7 p.m. - Ascension St. Vincent Field
 
Thursday, Sept. 3
- Women's Soccer Developmental Team vs. Saint Thomas More - 7 p.m. - Ascension St. Vincent Field
 
Saturday, Sept. 5
- Men's Soccer vs. Judson - 2 p.m. - Ascension St. Vincent Field
- Rugby vs. University of Kentucky - 5 p.m. - Kuntz Stadium
 
MEN'S GOLF
Marian Men's Golf gets its fall season underway at The Mid-South Classic on Monday and Tuesday at the Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas.
 
- Hosted by Grand View, this week's tournament is the first under the leadership of head coach Justin Werkley.
 
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Marian Women's Soccer picked up its first win over a ranked opponent last week with a 3-0 win over 20th-ranked Science & Arts (Okla.).
 
Senior Sammie King netted two goals for the Knights, bringing her season total up to four.
 
The Knights return to Ascension St. Vincent Field for a top-five showdown on Tuesday, hosting second-ranked and 2025 NAIA national runner-up Cumberlands at 7 p.m. for the team's Youth Night.
 
VOLLEYBALL
Marian Volleyball opened up Crossroads League action with a road win at Bethel on Wednesday night in a four-set victory.
 
The Knights went 1-3 in a loaded tournament at IU Kokomo. Marian had two match points with 21st-ranked Cornerstone on Friday, but fell in the fifth set before falling to 17th-ranked Aquinas in straight sets.
 
On Saturday, Marian picked up a four-set win over 2025 national tournament participant Saint Xavier before falling to 10th-ranked Cumberlands in a tightly contested four-set match. Senior Chloe Cook delivered a career-high 22 kills in the win over the Cougars on Saturday, while senior Khori Dryden eclipsed the 1,000 career kill mark.
 
This week, the Knights return to CL play with a road match at Goshen on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Then, Marian plays in their final non-conference action of the regular season this weekend, facing Central Baptist, Park and Mission in a three-game tournament in the Park Labor Day Battle in Parkville, Missouri.
 
MEN'S SOCCER
Marian Men's Soccer out-scored its opponents 13-2 this week in wins over Brescia (8-1) and IU Columbus (5-1).
 
Senior Gustavo Nunes poured in five goals in just 27 minutes off the bench in the win at Brescia, tying the NAIA national lead for goals scored after not previously scoring this season. The performance netted Nunes Crossroads League Offensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Leonard Assouan had his first three goals for the Knights this week, including a brace to lead Marian's high-flying offense in the 5-1 win over IU Columbus at home on Saturday.
 
Marian returns for two matches as Ascension St. Vincent Field this week, hosting Saint Xavier on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Judson at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
 
CROSS COUNTRY
Marian Cross Country opens up the 2026 campaign with a trip north to the Mastodon Alumni Open hosted at Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday.
 
The sixth-ranked women will start the season with a 10 a.m. race, while the eighth-ranked men will follow with their season-opening race at 10:30.
 
FOOTBALL
Marian Football forced a fumble and scored the first touchdown of the 2026 Monumental Matchup against UIndy on the south side of Indianapolis, but the Greyhounds took the opener by the final score of 39-7.
 
The Knights open up the NAIA portion of their schedule on Saturday, traveling to Defiance in crossover MSFA action. Kickoff against the Yellow Jackets is set for 1 p.m.
 
RUGBY
Marian Rugby opens up its season at Kuntz Stadium on Saturday, hosting the University of Kentucky at 5 p.m.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
There's plenty happening beyond the competition this week! Women's Soccer hosts Youth Night tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at Ascension St. Vincent Field. Fans can enjoy a lemonade truck, free snacks, giveaways and more while cheering on the Knights under the lights.
 
The excitement continues on Thursday, September 3 at 5:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater with our Annual Fall Pep Rally. Come out and help us kick off the fall season with introductions of our fall sports teams, free BBQ from the food truck, games, giveaways and plenty of Knight pride. It's a big week to get involved, support the Knights and be part of the energy around Marian Athletics!