ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's soccer team was victorious at home on Saturday against the Albion College Britons 2-1. The Thunder used two late goals in the second half for a come-from-behind victory to secure a Senior Day win.
Prior to the match, the team's four graduating seniors Colin Nicoski, Ethan Pendry, Jared Cromwell and Kyle Russell were honored on the field.
After surrendering a goal in the first half, the Thunder pushed on offense and tied the match up in the 76th minute with a strike by freshman Braden Estep. The pursuit of a win would not stop there as Joey Donovan found Luke Kearns on the far side of the pitch and he scored from an incredible angle in the 88th minute of action to pick up the victory.
"What a game and an electric finish," Kearns mentioned post-match. "I was happy we could walk away with three points. Even in tough games, I always say great teams find a way to win and we pulled through in this instance!"
The win makes Trine men's soccer 7-4-2 overall this season and 2-1-1 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play. Albion falters to 5-6-2 and 1-2-1 in 2022.
The start of the match was chippy, and physical play would remain throughout the contest. The Britons used that to their advantage in the 13th minute when they notched the go-ahead score after getting behind the defense.
Albion had an excellent opportunity to extend the lead to 2-0, but a block from a defender kept the deficit where it was in the 25th minute.
Ryan Cote was able to get a piece of the ball in the box for the offense just before halftime, but it missed high of the frame.
Three minutes into the second period, Donovan looked like he was going to even the match up, but his shot went passed the Briton keeper and dinged off the left post and out. From there, Albion played prevent defense while still getting a few opportunities on a counterattack, but all were wide of the net.
Coming off the bench as a substitute, Estep put himself in the perfect position in front of the net for Donovan to find him for the score. Donovan played the ball up the left side of the pitch and sent a cross to the middle for Estep and the strong finish.
Unwilling to settle for a tie, Donovan sent one from the middle to the right side to Kearns. Kearns sent one perfectly into the upper left corner of the net to secure the game-winning goal in the 88th minute and seal the victory.
As a team, Trine outshot Albion 8-6. Goalkeeper Aidan McGonagle received the win in net with two saves.
Next up for the Thunder is a home match against Hope College on Wednesday, October 19. Kick-off is set for 4 pm on Weaver Field.