WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Trine University men's soccer team concluded their weekend series in the Buckeye state with their second consecutive tie on Sunday, this time a scoreless affair at Otterbein University. Trine now sits at 0-0-2 overall in the 2023 season while the Cardinals move to 0-1-1.
Freshman Dillon Lambert made his first career start as the team's goalkeeper in the contest and was challenged early by the Otterbein offense. Lambert recorded saves in both the ninth and a pair of blocks in the fifteenth minute.
The other change in the starting lineup from match one was freshman forward Landon Moreland getting the nod. Moreland had both of the first half shots for the Thunder in the 11th and 25th minutes. The second of Moreland's shots was on goal, but saved by the Otterbein keeper at the top of the net.
In total at the end of 45 minutes, Lambert had made five saves on seven opponent shots to preserve the shutout. To begin the second half, seniors Tyler Murphy and Joey Donovan attacked in the offensive zone, but were unable to convert on their shot attempts in the 48th minute. The freshman Moreland was in on the next round of shots for the team around the 60-minute mark of pitch time, and his shot in the 59th minute forced a save.
The game slowed down a towards the end as fatigue began to set in, but one final charge by Trine almost saw them sneak their way ahead. A counter in the 87th minute with a shot by Murphy was saved to keep the Thunder from claiming victory outright. It was the best opportunity for either team in the match.
At game's end, Trine was outshot 16-7, but seven saves by Lambert (0-0-1) kept the shutout in tact. The backline defense of sophomores Liam Zimmerman, Ryan Cote and Gavin Hardy as well as junior Luke Kearns made chances for the Cardinals tough as well.
The four-match road trip to start the fall season continues next week when the Thunder venture west to North Central College on Friday, September 8. Kick-off in Naperville, Illinois is set for 7:30 p.m. CST (8:30 p.m. EST).
