NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Trine University men's soccer team fought hard on Friday night, but ultimately came up short 3-1 against the 20th ranked team in NCAA Division III according to the United Soccer Coaches (USC), North Central College. A late goal by senior Tyler Murphy brought the Thunder to within one score, but the Cardinals were able to extend the gap and pull away for the win.
The victory for #20 North Central makes them 4-0-0 on the season while Trine suffers their first decision of the 2023 campaign to move to 0-1-2.
The home Cardinals were able to strike first in minute number two and once again in the 14th minute to take a commanding 2-0 advantage. The defense worked hard to limit the damage and kept the deficit where it was going into halftime. Unfortunately, the offense was unable to create an opportunity to score in the first 45 minutes.
Coming out of the break, sophomore Gavin Hardy fired the first shot attempt of the game for the Thunder, but missed left. Senior Francesco Mazzei followed suit a few minutes later in minute number 57, but he was wide the other direction.
North Central regained control of the ball with just under 30 minutes left to play, but the Thunder defense and freshman goalkeeper Dillon Lambert were able to thwart multiple corners and a shot attempt.
Murphy was the beneficiary of a foul inside the box in the 74th minute to make the score 2-1 on a penalty kick goal. The senior was able to find the back of the net by going across his body to the right side of the net while the opposing keeper dove the opposite direction.
Just as quickly, the tide turned back in the direction of the Cardinals with a penalty kick goal of their own in the 77th minute. The goalkeeper Lambert went the right way, but the ball snuck passed him into the goal to put North Central ahead 3-1. That score would take the wind out of the Trine sails and the score would remain until the final whistle.
Up next for Trine men's soccer is a road match on Sunday, September 10 at Carthage College. Kick-off for that contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST).