KALAMAZOO, Mich. – After more than 89 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Trine University women's soccer team tallied the lone goal of the game to secure an upset victory over their hosts from Kalamazoo College in the opening round of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament.
The game started slowly, with the first shot not coming until the 15th minute, when a Hornet forward fired a shot over the net. A few minutes later Abigail Marks tallied the first shot for the Thunder, forcing a save from the opposition's keeper.
It ended up being the team's lone shot of the first half, while Kalamazoo recorded three. After the intermission things seemed even more in favor of the home team as they recorded ten shots to Trine's three. Shots on goal were closer with both teams ending the game with four.
With 30 seconds remaining in the contest the Hornets cleared the zone with a long kick, with the ball rolling to a stop in front of Trine's keeper Sophie Aschemeier. The junior dropkicked the ball to midfield where Kalamazoo had the first touch. The second touch went to Francesca Fronczak who settled the ball, before firing a perfect pass up the left side of the field. The ball found Bella Mabry streaking toward the goal. The Hornet keeper made a diving attempt to cover the ball but missed, giving Mabry a chance to leap over her and nudge the ball into the back of the net.
The goal came with just three seconds left on the clock, securing the upset victory for the Thunder and advancing them to the semifinal round where they will meet second seeded Hope College. The Flying Dutch won the regular season contest between the two teams 3-1.
Trine will travel to compete in the semifinal contest on Tuesday, October 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.