KENOSHA, Wisc. – The Trine University men's soccer team came up short in their road match on Sunday afternoon by a score of 3-2 at Carthage College. The Firebirds are now 3-1-0 overall this season as the Thunder are still in search of their first outright victory at 0-2-2.
A defensive breakdown at the five minute mark allowed the Firebirds to claim a 1-0 lead. Carthage continued to pepper goalkeeper Dillon Lambert with shots, and eventually broke through for two more goals in the 20th and 25th minutes to make it 3-0.
The first real scoring opportunity for Trine came in the 35th minute when Landon Moreland forced the opposing goalkeeper to make his first save of the day. A corner kick a few moments later off the toe of Francesco Mazzei would result in the team's first score. Ben Borak was able to get a piece of it inside the box and Ryan Cote drilled it home to cut into the Carthage lead.
Tyler Murphy would deliver a second goal in the first half to get to 3-2 in the 39th minute. Murphy would receive a through ball from Moreland and beat the final defender and the keeper for his second goal of the 2023 season.
Knowing the possibility of a tie was in play in a one-goal match, the Firebirds forged ahead in the second half to keep the ball on their side of the pitch. All five shots recorded in the second half belonged to Carthage, with Lambert making saves on two of them and three were off-target or blocked. The defense for both teams would keep the score exactly where it was at the break, 3-2.
In total, Carthage outshot Trine 13-4 and took 15 corner kicks compared to four for the Thunder. Lambert (0-2-1) tallied five saves in 90 minutes.
Up next, Trine will host Elmhurst College in the team's home opener on Saturday, September 16. Kick-off at Weaver Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.