ALMA, Mich. – A flurry of goals led the Trine University women's soccer team to a lopsided victory over their hosts from Alma College. The Thunder offense led by sophomores Teresa Ashbrook and Bella Mabry was undeterred by the cold, wind and rain, winning the game 5-0.
The team's first goal came early in the contest with just over six minutes off the clock. After a series of passes moved the ball into the penalty area, Mabry fired a shot from the left side of the net forcing a diving save from the Scots' keeper. The rebound would go wide where freshman Abby Robison was waiting to fire a quick shot into the unprotected net.
Just over eleven minutes later, Mabry continued her run of assists by intercepting a Scots throw-in and firing a beautiful pass up the left center portion of the field, bypassing most of the defense and finding Ashbrook. She would speed her way to the corner of the six-yard box before stutter stepping to avoid a trailing defender. She finished off by firing a shot from her right foot into the upper right corner of the net.
The scoring settled following the second goal and the home side was able to apply a bit of pressure on the opposite end. Sophomore Sophie Aschemeier was forced into action twice more in the half recording her second and third saves to keep Alma off the scoreboard and take the 2-0 lead into the intermission.
Just a minute into the second half Trine scored again. This time the play started with an offensive zone throw-in where the ball ended up inside the 18-yard box. Ashbrook was able to settle it and pass it along to senior Olivia Butterworth who cashed in with the goal.
Just under three minutes later the team recovered the ball around midfield and senior Veronica Ocampo moved it forward into the offensive end before splitting a pair of defenders with a pass further into the zone. Ashbrook received that pass behind the defense sprinting to the left side of the 18-yard box and once again stutter stepping behind the trailing defender. This time her shot was low to avoid the charging keeper but still found the back of the net.
The team's fifth and final goal came after receiving a corner kick opportunity in the 55th minute of play. Mabry would take the attempt from the far side of the field, placing the ball well inside of the six-yard box. Senior Andrea Wright jumped up to meet the ball and put a header into the top part of the net for the goal.
The rest of the game was relatively quiet, with the lone excitements coming when sophomore Ellie Price made a defensive save for the team and on shots by Mabry and junior Taylor Noll that forced saves on the other end. The score 5-0 score would eventually go final.
Ashbrook finished the game with a team high two goals and one assist, giving her a season high five points. Mabry ended the game with three assists tying the single-season program record since joining NCAA Division III play.
The win garners the team their 13th point in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) standings giving them sole possession of second-place for the moment, with games still left to be played this evening. They improve to 9-4-2 overall and 4-1-1 in the MIAA.
Trine will take the field again on Saturday, Oct. 22 when they travel to face Albion College in a crucial match. The Britons currently are currently in a battle with the Thunder in the standings, with both teams' sights set on a first-round bye in the upcoming MIAA tournament. Kickoff on Saturday is scheduled for 5 p.m.