ANGOLA, Ind. -- Freshman Jillian Rejczyk (Wauconda, Ill. / Wauconda) recorded double-digit saves for the first time in her career, but it wasn't enough as the Trine University women's soccer team was defeated by visiting Mt. St. Joseph University by the score of 2-0.
Despite the two goals allowed it was clear from the beginning that Rejczyk and the Thunder defense came to play keeping the visiting Lions off the board throughout the first half. Rejczyk came up with a big save early in the contest turning aside a great opportunity for Mt. St. Joe by jumping and punching the ball wide of the net. The freshman finished the game with 10 saves.
The Thunder got one of their better opportunities for a goal in the 64th minute of the game when junior Morgan Sanderson (Leo / Leo) found her self in the open behind the Mt. St. Joe defense. She crossed the ball into the box where freshman Julia Surratt (Madison Heights, Mich. / Marion) headed the ball toward the net. The header went just over the crossbar.
Both Lions goals came by way of great individual efforts. The first, which came in the 70th minute of the game, saw Jodie Weimer complete a juking spin move around the defense before putting the ball into the top right corner of the net. The goal gave the team a 1-0 lead.
Their second goal came in the 84th minute when Paige Mersmann stole the ball and took a shot from well outside the box, placing it perfectly into the same corner of the net out of Rejczyk's reach. The goal was the final one of the contest and gave the Lions their final 2-0 lead.
Trine falls to 3-6 following the loss, while Mt. St. Joe improves to 6-1-2. The Thunder will enter Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play when they travel to face Alma College on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The match is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.