WOOSTER, Ohio – A last second goal knotted the game at one and robbed the Trine University men's soccer team of a win in their opening game of the 2023 season. Instead, the match ended in a 1-1 draw with the College of Wooster.
Freshman Britton Sala wasted little time recording the Thunder's first shot of the season going wide just over a minute into the contest. The first shot on goal of the game went against Trine ten minutes later when the Scots put the ball low and to the left to force a save from senior Aidan McGonagle.
The Thunder offense began to find purchase, led by senior Tyler Murphy, near the 20-minute mark of the first half. During the stretch Murphy had a pair of shots go wide, the second of which gave the team a set piece opportunity off a corner kick.
Sophomore Liam Zimmerman took the attempt and placed the ball perfectly inside the keeper area. Classmate Ryan Cote tapped the ball toward goal with first contact forcing a save from the opposition's keeper. The keeper ultimately bobbled the save and Gavin Hardy finished the play for the team scoring the first goal of the season.
Murphy followed up with another shot on goal a few minutes later followed by a second yellow against a single Wooster player leading to a red card and an ejection. Despite the man advantage for Trine the Scots continued to find some offensive success in the rest of the first half with McGonagle making two more saves before the intermission.
The second half looked to be going in favor of Trine. They had four shots on goal to none by the home side in the first 44 minutes of the period. Murphy recorded a pair on his own, including one in the waning minutes of the game.
Wooster recorded two shots on target in the final minute of the contest. The first drew another save from McGonagle. The second came off a defensive zone turnover by the Thunder and caught McGonagle too far out from the net. The shot was a softly hit arc that went over the keeper's outstretched hands to tie the game.
The Thunder attempted to get a final shot after the ensuing kickoff but there was not enough time and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Trine will next take the pitch when they travel to face Otterbein College on Sunday, September 3. That match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
