GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Trine University women's soccer team weathered the storm for most of the contest, but a late goal would prove to be decisive as nationally-ranked Calvin University won the contest 1-0.
The Knights, who were ranked ninth in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, put the Thunder on their back foot from the beginning of the contest. They would record six shots in the first 12 minutes, all before Trine would fire their first. Sophomore Sophie Aschemeier made her first save of the evening on the final of those first shots.
The second 12-minutes of play were a bit more in Trine's favor, as they recorded their first shots of the game. Sophomore Bella Mabry came up with the first while senior Olivia Butterworth would record the second, both shots would be outside the net to the right. Neither team would force a save in the remainder of the period and the game would head to halftime still 0-0.
The Thunder found some pressure in the beginning of the second period. In the first five minutes of the half, the team fired three shots, with the third coming on goal for the first time of the night. That shot on goal belonged to freshman Abby Robison who forced a low diving save from the Calvin keeper.
After that stretch of action, the game turned in the home team's favor. The next 30 minutes of the game saw the Knights spend plenty of time in the offensive zone. They forced three saves out of Aschemeier, while recording nine unanswered shots. The ninth shot found its way past Aschemeier giving the team their 1-0 lead.
The pace continued in Calvin's favor in the final minutes of play, despite a comeback effort by the Thunder, and the score would eventually go final.
Despite allowing the goal, Aschemeier had a solid game in net recording five saves, four of which came in the second half.
Trine falls to 8-4-2 overall and 3-1-1 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play following the loss. They will look to bounce back when they head to face Alma College on Tuesday, October 18 for a 4 p.m. contest.