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SEPT. 2, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – It was a busy Wednesday for Grand Rapids Community College athletics, with all four Raider teams in action. Both soccer teams opened conference play at home against Muskegon Community College, volleyball hosted nationally ranked Mott Community College in non-conference action, and the golf team opened its season at the NJCAA Fall Preview in Plymouth, Indiana, competing against a field that featured many of the top NJCAA Division II junior colleges in the country.

Women's Soccer: Raiders Earn First Win Under Barrow

The GRCC women's soccer team earned a thrilling 2-1 victory over Muskegon Community College in the Raiders' conference opener, improving to 1-1-1 on the season and giving first-year head coach Doug Barrow his first collegiate victory.

Sophomore Nadia Perez provided both Raider goals, scoring in the 38th and 87th minutes. Freshman Izabela Terpstra assisted on both goals.

Muskegon pulled even in the 75th minute, but Nadia's late goal proved to be the difference as GRCC secured the conference-opening victory.

The Jayhawks held advantages in both shots and shots on goal, outshooting GRCC 19-12 and holding a 13-7 edge in shots on goal. Raider goalkeeper Nyleese Bazan-Hernandez came up big throughout the match, making 12 saves in 90 minutes to earn the win.

The Raiders return to action September 8 at Lake Michigan College for another conference matchup.

Men's Soccer: Early Goal Stands Up in 1-0 Win

The GRCC men's soccer team also opened conference play with a victory, defeating Muskegon Community College 1-0 at home.

The Raiders struck early, finding the game's only goal in the sixth minute. Jose Oliveira delivered the cross pass to Irvin Hernandez-Cisneros, who finished the opportunity to put GRCC ahead.

The match remained tight from there. GRCC narrowly held the advantage in total shots, 17-16, while both teams recorded five shots on goal and six corner kicks.

Freshman goalkeeper Ramon Lujano-Salto made five saves over 90 minutes to earn his first collegiate victory and help the Raiders secure the shutout.

The win moves GRCC to 1-1-1 on the season and gives first-year head coach Alex Mendoza his first win at the helm.

The Raiders are back in action Friday at 3 p.m. at Aquinas College JV.

Volleyball: Raiders Take on Unbeaten No. 15 Mott

The GRCC volleyball team faced one of its toughest tests of the season Wednesday, hosting No. 15-ranked and unbeaten Mott Community College in non-conference action.

Mott entered the match with a 13-0 record and handed the Raiders a 3-0 defeat, dropping GRCC to 2-4 on the season.

Despite the result, the Raiders battled against one of the nation's top teams while playing without two starters, including last week's conference Player of the Week.

Sophomore All-American Vanessa Walker nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 10 kills, 10 assists and eight digs. Charlee Cochran added six kills, while Kaylee Kranz recorded eight kills. Freshman setter Breslyn Zache led the Raiders with 15 assists.

The loss also marked GRCC's first home loss since 2022.

The Raiders will now turn their attention to conference play, which begins September 10 at Glen Oaks Community College.

Golf: Raiders Open Season Against Top NJCAA DII Competition

The GRCC golf team opened its season at the NJCAA Fall Preview at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana, the home of the NJCAA national championships.

The tournament featured 115 total golfers, with 98 completing all three rounds, and a field loaded with many of the nation's top NJCAA Division II programs.

GRCC finished 17th out of 20 teams, posting a 54-hole team total of 921 strokes with rounds of 309, 304 and 308.

Kirkwood Community College dominated the team competition, finishing at 847, an impressive 18 strokes ahead of runner-up Des Moines Area Community College.

Sophomore Lucas VanMaanen led the Raiders, carding a 221 (+5) to tie for 36th overall. VanMaanen saved his best for last, shooting 1-under par in the final round.

The rest of the Raider lineup included Owen Kuehnau (231, T-73rd), Brody Cook (232, T-75th), Kael Mosburger (239, 86th) and Carson Osborn (244, T-92nd).

As a team, the five Raiders combined for 24 birdies, while VanMaanen added an eagle during the tournament.

GRCC's next event is the Cougar Fall Classic on September 9 in Metamora, Illinois.

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Interested in supporting GRCC Athletics?  All donations can be done through GRCC Athletic's Scholarship Fund and can specify what scholarship fund the gift is going to, such as the Hofmann scholarship. If you have any questions on how to support Athletics at Grand Rapids Community College, contact the Athletic Department via phone at (616) 234-3883 or email grccathletics@grcc.edu. Any support is appreciated and goes towards assisting our student-athlete scholarship funds.