HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has tabbed Luke Kearns of the Trine University men's soccer team as the MIAA Men's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week.
The Thunder picked up a pair of conference wins this week, a 3-1 victory on the road at Olivet College on Tuesday afternoon, and a Senior Day victory 2-1 against Albion College. Kearns was vital in both wins by keeping the opponents at bey as well as turning defense into offense.
Kearns put the first goal in the back of the net against the Comets just four minutes into the match. Alhusain Yahya distributed a pass to Joey Donovan on the right side and he crossed the ball through the box to Kearns. The sophomore from Dearborn, Michigan was able make a sliding shot and beat the Olivet keeper to go ahead 1-0 in the match. The defense allowed one, but counterattacks allowed Trine to net three goals in total.
Kearns found the back of the net again in the come-from-behind win at home versus Albion College. After falling behind 1-0, the defense stood tall and did not allow the match to get away from them. Braden Estep tied the match up at one with a strike in the teeth of the Briton defense and Kearns got the team three points by putting a ball in the top corner of the net from an incredible angle on the right side.
Kearns has now taken sole possession of second-place in scoring for the Trine men's soccer team with the scores.
His heroics helped the Thunder to stay in third-place in the league table heading into a key home match against Hope College on Wednesday, October 19. Kick-off is set for 4 pm on Weaver Field.