ANGOLA, Ind.-- Trine earned a dominating 9-2 victory over Muskingum in non-conference action Saturday afternoon in Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium
The Thunder outshot the Fighting Muskies by a 51-8 margin. Muskingum was able to clear the ball successfully on just 14-of-29 attempts as Trine forced the Fighting Muskies into 30 turnovers. The Thunder were able to hold Muskingum to seven goals below their season average. Paul Carlquist (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) scored a season-high four goals to pace the Trine attack, showing off a variety of creative moves. The effort was good enough for the junior's third four-point effort of the season. The Thunder improved to 2-3 on the season. Muskingum fell to 3-2.
Nick Maher (DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt), Collin Lelito (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago) and Jordan Backer (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) each caused two turnovers to help pace the defensive effort. Ryan Nelson earned his first collegiate victory, needing to make only one save in his 30 minutes of action.
Jake Ahearn (Naperville, Ill/Naperville) scored two goals on the attack. Kevan Barissi (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forrest Hills Central) notched his first collegiate goal, while G.T. Youpel (Chicago Ridge, Ill./St. Rita) and Chris Ward (Oak Lawn, Ill./St. Rita) added tallies.
Jordan Lelito (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago) had a strong day on the face-off, winning 11-of-13 draws.
Trine jumped all over the Fighting Muskies from the opening face-off, scoring twice in the first three minutes to open up an early lead. Carlquist and Ahearn accounted for the early Thunder goals. Zach Kern cut the lead to 2-1 four minutes into the contest.
After a scoreless 20 minutes of play, Carlquist gave the Thunder a two-goal lead with a tally on the man-advantage. Trine was 2-of-4 on extra-man opportunities. Ahearn and Ward added goals in the closing minute of the first half to make the score 5-1 at the intermission.
Carlquist's second goal on the man-advantage was the only scoring the third period would see.
Youpel picked up a loose-ball with Trine a man down to push the lead to 7-1 early in the fourth. Carlquist and Barissi put the game out of reach, with Barissi scoring on a ripper from the left wing off a pass from Youpel for his first-career goal.
Joey Alford added a late tally for the Fighting Muskies. Goalkeeper Taylor Masterson made 17 saves in net.
Trine hosted its BrooklynStrong benefit for Girl Power 2 Cure, an organization dedicated to raising funds for a cure for Rett Syndrome. The Thunder wore orange jerseys in support of the cause and were joined by special guest Brooklyn Butler, a young friend of the team who is diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. A full recap of the BrooklynStrong will be available in the coming days.
Trine returns to action this Wednesday, Mar. 25 at home against Baldwin-Wallace. Face-off is slated for 7 p.m.
