KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Trine University men's soccer team punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Kalamazoo College in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Final.
After a runner-up performance a season ago, the Thunder lay claim to their first MIAA title in program history, earning the league's automatic qualification for the NCAA Division III men's soccer tournament. The 2021 season marks the first appearance in the NCAA Tournament by the program.
Trine will carry a 12-7-1 record into the national tournament on the back of six consecutive victories. Kalamazoo's season comes to a close at 11-4-3.
Both teams peppered the net in the early stages of the match, but each keeper was able to deny every look at the goal. Ethan Pendry [Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg] forced a save on a shot on goal in the second minute, followed by three shots on target by Brian Morris [Metamora, Mich. / Lapeer] and one from Colin Nicoski [Plainfield, Ill. / Plainfield East] in the first 15 minutes.
Troy Saylor [Caledonia, Mich. / Caledonia] made a critical save in the 23rd minute on a header by Kalamazoo and another one off the head of a Hornet player in the 32nd minute. At the end of the first half, Saylor was up to five saves in the match.
For the 17th time this season, Tyler Murphy [Greenfield, Ind. / Greenfield Central] put his name in the scoring column with a goal in the 51st minute. Luke Kearns [Dearborn, Mich. / Dearborn] executed a perfect pass from the back line to lead Murphy behind the defense and he did the rest by beating the keeper one-on-one. The freshman Kearns picked a clutch moment to be credited with his first career assist.
With their season hanging in the balance, Kalamazoo went on the attack to try to even the match. Trine was able to dig their heels in defensively and turned away 10 shots after taking the lead in order to preserve the shutout.
Insurance was provided off the foot of Koen Droese [Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington Central], distributing the ball to Alhusain Yahya [Melvindale, Mich. / Melvindale] for the goal to seal the match at 2-0 in the 89th minute. Droese was patient working his way into the offensive zone and Yahya put a laser passed the keeper on the right side of the pitch.
Murphy led the team with three of the 10 Trine shots. Saylor got a piece of nine of the 11 total shots on goal and notched his fifth shutout of the season (three in a row).
The 2021 Division III men's soccer championship selection show is Monday, November 8 at 1:30 pm on ncaa.com. There, the Thunder will find out who they will play in the First Round of the NCAA Division III men's soccer championships.