Thunder Strike Belles in Final Game of Season

Thunder Strike Belles in Final Game of Season

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Trine University women's soccer team handily defeated host St. Mary's College by the score of 3-1 in the team's final contest of the 2018 season.

Junior Morgan Sanderson (Leo / Leo) started the scoring for the Thunder notching two goals in just six minutes to give the team the early 2-0 lead in just the 16th minute of the contest.

She scored her first goal in the 11th minute receiving a pass from fellow junior Kristen Reece (Indianapolis / Roncalli) that led her into open space on the right flank. Sanderson carried the ball into the box and put it low and out of the reach of the Belles' keeper for the 1-0 Trine lead.

Just under six minutes later Sanderson once again found herself facing down the opposition's keeper. This time she received the pass up the middle from sophomore Kennedy Brough (Fort Wayne / Bishop Luers) and put it past a charging keeper just inside the box for her fifth goal of the season. The goal gave the Thunder the 2-0 lead which they would take into intermission.

In just the eighth minute of the second half, Trine added to their lead, this time by taking advantage of a St. Mary's miscue. Kristen Reece intercepted the failed clear attempt and easily put a low shot into the goal. The goal, her fourth of the year, gave the Thunder the 3-0 lead.

The Belles responded with their own goal in the 83rd minute, but it was too little too late as Trine came away with the 3-1 victory.

Freshman Jillian Rejczyk (Wauconda, Ill. / Wauconda) got the start in goal and despite giving up the lone goal finished the game with four strong saves.

Trine improves to 5-11-1 overall and 2-5-1 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association following the victory. The Thunder finish the season in seventh place in the conference, just missing out on postseason play. The finish is the best by Trine since 2011.