NILES, Illinois — The Knights 2025 fall athletics season is off and running with the cross country, golf and soccer programs all seeing early success in the first quarter of their respective seasons.
Golf
In Northridge's first season in the highly competitive Chicagoland Christian Conference, the Knights have made a strong impression on the course, jumping out to 7-1 overall start, 3-1 in CCC play with convincing wins over St. Ed's and Marian Central Catholic. On Aug. 28, the Knights also continued their recent dominance over cross-town rival Niles Notre Dame, taking down the Dons 153-162 at Willow Hill. Most recently, after falling to Timothy Christian by just three strokes in conference play, the Knights racked up another CCC win by knocking off Bishop McNamara, 151-160.
"As any coach would be, I am pleased with our strong start," head coach Joe Egan said. "We have a talented team that works very hard each day. That being said, I think we still have lots of room for improvement, particularly on the mental side of the game. We have seen some really strong play from Chris Carney. He's been on the varsity squad for two years now and it shows with his poise under pressure."
Egan also points to the performances of a trio of underclassmen for the Knights early success. Freshman Pierce Spencer and sophomores Ian Macfarlane and Brenden Sherman have stepped up on a big way in the latest stretch of matches.
Next up for the Knights is another conference matchup with a talented Wheaton Academy squad on Monday, Sept. 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Cross Country
Fresh off winning the school's first ever state championship, the Knights cross country program has picked up right where they left off to begin the 2025 campaign. Bumped up to IHSA Class 2A, Northridge ran a stellar race at the John Kurtz Invitational on Sept. 6. Led by senior Peter Kipp (12th place: 16:08), the Knights finished in 4th place as a team out of 22, the highest of any 2A school. Five runners, including Joe Kurkowski and Peter Kurkowski, ran their personal best times.
The next opportunity for the Knights will be Sept. 18 at the DePaul Rams Invite.
Soccer
The Knights varsity soccer program has gotten off to a quick 4-2 start to the season as the boys look to follow up strong on last season's historic campaign. The maroon and gold made it to the IHSA 1A Super Sectional, falling just short of a berth to state. With multiple key players returning, the program enters its first season in the CCC with high expectations.
Head coach Cory Jenson, in his first year at the helm, is happy with where the team is at through the first quarter of the season.
"I am incredibly proud of how our boys have poured themselves into every match this season," Jenson said. "Our four game win streak was a product of dedication and sacrifice. Our away win at Latin, the first in school history, is a good example of this. Even in our recent defeat to Wheaton Academy we were willing to battle for every ball and cover for a teammate when beaten."
"We've been carried by Keller Karnes and Reid Kaczynski, both players whose performances have been the differences between a win and loss," Jenson continued. "But we've also had others rise to the occasion, like freshman Aidan Mongoven, whose soccer IQ far exceeds many players older than him. Javi Rodriguez has epitomized a captain since day one, going so far as to learn two new positions for the benefit of the team.
Next up for the Knights is a home match up with Ridgewood on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
