ADA, Ohio – The Trine University men's soccer team traveled to Ada, Ohio for the team's final tune-up against Ohio Northern University before entering conference play next week. After scoring a goal in the first half, the Polar Bears had one of their own in the second as the two battled to a 1-1 draw.
The Thunder break their two-match losing spell with the tie and are 5-3-1 in 2022. Ohio Northern's record now stands at 5-2-2.
Juniors Tyler Murphy and Francesco Mazzei each took a shot for Trine in the first 20 minutes as the teams felt each other out. Mazzei's ended up on goal, but the Polar Bear keeper was able to make the save.
Ohio Northern put pressure on the Thunder defense in the middle stages of the first half. Junior Aidan McGonagle was forced to make one save on the three shots the home squad got off from minutes 24-37.
In the 41st minute, Trine was able to get on the board. Mazzei took a corner kick and played it in front of the net. Freshman Gavin Hardy was there to get a head on it and put it in the back of the net to go up 1-0 just before half's end. It is Hardy's first career goal and Mazzei now has a team-high three assists on the year.
Coming out of the halftime break, McGonagle made a play on a ball in the 54th minute to keep the Thunder in front. That would be the only shot for either side until the 76th minute of play.
A free kick for the Polar Bears was sent into the box and the free ball was eventually collected and sent past the Thunder keeper to get back to even.
Junior Joey Donovan was able to take a shot for Trine in the closing minutes, but it was off the mark as the 1-1 score held through the end of regulation. With no more overtime until the postseason, the match would result in a tie.
As a team, the Thunder were outshot 8-4, but the defensive line of Hardy, Jared Cromwell, Colin Nicoski and Ryan Cote stood tall and prevented their opponents from getting open looks. McGonagle made a total of three saves.
The opening match of the 2022 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) slate takes place on Wednesday, October 5 when Trine travels to Grand Rapids, Michigan to take on the defending regular season champions, the Calvin University Knights. Kick-off is at 7 pm.
