FRANKLIN, Ind. – One goal would be enough as the Trine University women's soccer team started their season with a victory. The win is the first for new head coach Gary Boughton and the third straight season-opening victory for the Thunder.
Both teams struggled to get the offense rolling in the first half of the contest with the two teams combining for just four shots with one coming on goal. Both teams would enter the intermission without a goal.
Halftime adjustments worked for both teams as they would begin to test the opposing defense for the first time this season.
For Franklin this transferred to adding four more shots on goal to their tally, they would finish with five total for the contest. But Thunder netminder Ahdrin Bordner (Delaware, Ohio / Rutherford B. Hayes) also finished the contest with five saves turning aside every Grizzly shot to earn the first shutout of her career in just her third start.
Trine's offense also picked up in the second half with the team matching the opposition shot for shot. Unlike Franklin, however, the team was unable to put those shots on goal.
That all changed in the 74th minute of play when the Thunder took the final of their seven corner kicks. Freshman Veronica Ocampo (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart) took the attempt and placed the ball in close to the goal. The ball curved in toward the goal and was helped along by a Grizzly defender giving the Thunder the 1-0 lead.
The goal would stand up as the lone of the game and Trine would emerge from the contest with their first victory of the season.
Both teams ended the match with seven shots. The Grizzly placed five on goal while the Thunder would force two saves. Junior Courtney Reece (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) recorded the other shot on goal for the team.
Trine will continue the season tomorrow, Saturday, August 31, when they travel to face Mount St. Joseph University. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.