For the first time in College history, both the Holy Cross College men’s and women’s soccer teams have earned the opportunity to host the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) playoffs first-round matches.

They’ll do so back-to-back on their home turf at Saints Field this week, the first time both programs have hosted.

The Holy Cross College Women’s Soccer Team, made history last week, battling to a hard-fought 0–0 draw against Trinity Christian College to secure the program’s first-ever trip to the NAIA National Championship. With the tie, the Saints officially clinched the CCAC Regular Season Championship, marking a milestone moment for the program coached by Magagula Bukhosibonke, known as Duma.

They’ll kick off their postseason run on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Men’s Soccer Team, which will take the field on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m., for their own NAIA playoff opener.

The men’s team enters the national tournament with a 10–7 overall record (7–3 in conference play), continuing a strong run of form that reflects the program’s strength and consistency under Head Coach Omar Gallo.

A Program on the Rise—On and Off the Field 

The playoff berths come during a year of strong momentum for Holy Cross soccer. Earlier this fall, the College completed phase one enhancements to Saints Field. Upgrades included field lights, a new fence, new goal nets, and a modern scoreboard with sound system, all significant improvements that have elevated the student-athlete and fan experience at Saints Field.

“We hope this inspires future student-athletes to see Holy Cross as a top destination close to home,” Duma said. “As a smaller college, we also thrive academically, with our team maintaining an average GPA of 3.4 over the past five years.”

A Community-Rooted Program 

Beyond their on-field and classroom achievements, both programs share a deep connection to the South Bend-Elkhart community. Between the two rosters, 20 of the 49 student-athletes — more than 40% — hail from local high schools, including Penn, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Northridge, Goshen, West Noble, Marian, Valparaiso, St. Joseph, Adams, and Concord.

“One of our program’s main goals is to stay actively engaged in our community,” said Men’s Head Coach Omar Gallo. “We want to be involved members who give back to the same community that has always supported us. Too often, young athletes feel the need to travel far from home to find quality soccer opportunities. We believe that everything starts within our own youth system, which is why building strong relationships with local club directors is essential. Our local clubs and high schools are already doing an outstanding job preparing young players for college-level competition.”

“As a staff, our mission goes beyond the field,” Gallo added. “We aim to help each of these young men and women grow into the best versions of themselves so they can return to their communities and make a positive impact. What better way to do that than by supporting and developing our local youth players, helping them succeed right here in their hometown?”

Where and When 

  • Women’s NAIA First-Round Match: Tuesday, Nov. 4 – 7:30 p.m. at Saints Field

  • Men’s NAIA First-Round Match: Wednesday, Nov. 5 – 7:00 p.m. at Saints Field

Fans and community members are encouraged to come out and support the Saints as they make history on their home field and celebrate the continued growth of Holy Cross athletics.