WILMINGTON, OHIO-- Paul Carlquist scored in the closing minute to lead Trine to an 8-7 victory over Wilmington in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at Williams Stadium.
Carlquist (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) scored with 55 seconds remaining to provide the game-winner for the Thunder. The goal capped off a tight contest that saw four lead changes, with neither team gaining a lead by more than two goals. Carlquist scored two goals and added two assists for his fourth-consecutive game with three or more points. Trine outshot the Fightin' Quakers by a 39-28 margin and held a 29-16 edge in ground balls. The Thunder improve to 1-3 on the season. Wilmington falls to 2-2.
Trine held a big edge in the face-off circle, winning 12-of-18 draws. Lucas Radice (West Chicago, Ill/West Chicago) and Jordan Lelito (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago) each won six face-offs for the Thunder. Lelito notched a team-high five ground balls. Chris Ward (Oak Lawn, Ill./St. Rita) and G.T. Youpel (Chicago Ridge, Ill./St. Rita) each scored two goals for Trine. Jake Ahearn (Naperville, Ill./Naperville) added a goal and four ground balls.
Jordan Backer (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) anchored a stout defensive effort with four caused turnovers. Backer moved into second on the school's career-list in caused turnovers. Travis Lores (Kildeer, Ill./Lake Zurich) was credited with the win in net after stopping seven of eight shots in the second half.
Devon Macki scored four goals, while Jalen Jackson added three tallies to account for the Wilmington scoring. Paul Koerbel made 15 saves for the Fightin' Quakers.
Nick Maher (DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt) got the Thunder on the board first, but Maki answered with two straight to put Wilmington up in the first quater. Trine then took advantage of a pair of man-up opportunities, with Youpel scoring twice off passes from Carlquist. The Thunder converted 2-of-8 extra-man opportunities in the game.
Jackson scored twice, and Maki added another tally as the Quakers knotted the score at 5-5 going into the half. Ward and Ahearn scored the second quarter goals for Trine.
Jackson put Wilmington up 6-5 just under two minutes into the second half. Carlquist had the answer midway through the quarter as the two teams headed to the fourth tied up.
Ward put the Thunder back on top early in the fourth, but Maki had the answer just 25 seconds later to knot the score right back up. Trine outshot the Quakers 12-5 in the fourth quarter, but Koerbel was equal to the task until Carlquist's game-winner with inside of a minute remaining.
Trine will host Muskingum next Saturday, Mar. 21 at 2 p.m. The game will be the team's "BrooklynStrong" benefit for Rett Syndrome. To learn more about the event, CLICK HERE.