NILES, Illinois — Fall sports are full steam ahead for the Knights as the golf, soccer and cross country programs all kicked off their respective seasons earlier this month. Let's run down some of the best highlights in the month of August for the maroon and gold.

The Knights golf program, led by head coach Joseph Egan '15, has gotten the ball rolling on the 2023 campaign with a stellar start. Amid a schedule stocked with competitive tournaments, the varsity and JV Knights turned in big program wins over Notre Dame on August 21st. Taking down the Dons as a team 159-170, Evan Kataoka '25 came away as the overall medalist with a score of 38. "It's the first time in program history we have beat the Dons. It was a great match and I'm really pleased with where our team and program are headed," Coach Egan said. "I'm very proud of this team and the hard work they have put in this past offseason and now."

Knights varsity soccer is off to a stellar start on the season, including wins over Christian Liberty and Westmont. Northridge's impressive 6-3 win on the road at Westmont was highlighted by phenomenal individual efforts from Blake Kaczynski '25 and Paul Masaka '25. Kaczynski terrorized the Patriots all game long, waltzing his way to a hat trick performance. Masaka complemented the effort with two goals of his own to go along with a pair of key assists. "It was a great effort by the whole team, especially in the second half," head coach Alvaro Vargas said. "We did a good job of possessing the ball, circulating it around the field, making the perfect thru balls when the space was afforded, and we were good with our finishing. We did a good job of winning 50-50 balls, winning balls in the air and being physical. Watching this game showed our improvement on the ball and good composure by our players to have the ball at their feet."

Next up for the Knights is a trip down the road to take on the Vikings of Niles North on Saturday, September 2nd.

Being led into a new era by first-year Knights head coach Julian Murphy, the cross country program has picked up right where it left off. Running in the St. Viator Artman Classic on August 26th, the Knights ran away with the first place trophy in a 10-team field that included Notre Dame, IC Catholic Prep, Carmel Catholic and St. Patrick's among others. John Kipp led the way for the Knights with a 3rd place individual finish and personal best time of 16:23, followed up by Peter Kipp (5th), who matched his personal best, Brennan McNamara (8th), James Barder (9th) and John Masaka (10th). Coach Murphy was proud of the effort, noting that "The boys dominated the battle with five runners placing in the top 10 overall and taking home 1st place.  One of those top 10 finishers was John Masaka, a freshman. …The team finished with 30-points, with 2nd place Carmel Catholic posting 51-points and Notre Dame ending with 70-points for 3rd place."

The Knights will be back running again this Saturday, September 2nd at the Elk Grove Invite.