ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University women's soccer team defeated Adrian College in the First Round of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament 1-0 behind a goal from Olivia Butterworth [Murray, Ky. / Murray] in the 89th minute.
The win is the first conference tournament victory in program history and the first postseason win since 1998, when the Thunder topped Aquinas in the Second Round of the NAIA District 21 tournament.
Trine's victory sets them up to face the number one seed Calvin University on the road in the MIAA Semifinal round on Tuesday, November 2 at 7 pm.
Just 30 seconds in, the Thunder nearly had a disastrous defensive breakdown as Adrian had a shot hit the left post. Trine countered with a shot that just missed the mark off the foot of Rachel Hill [Guilford, Ind. / East Central] on a free kick in Bulldog territory.
Aside from the attempt by Hill, Adrian controlled possession for a majority of the first 20 minutes. Towards the end of the first half, Bella Mabry [Oregon, Ohio / Clay] and Lia Franzone [Lancaster, N.Y. / Lancaster] each took two shots, including a look from Mabry that was saved by the Bulldog keeper as the last line of defense.
Teresa Ashbrook [Dewitt, Mich. / Dewitt], who was named First Team All-Conference earlier in the day, had a shot saved just before half as well.
Ashbrook had another close opportunity turned away in the 57th minute, this time by the left woodwork and the match remained scoreless.
With the clock winding down, both teams were desperate to get on the board, with both keepers able to make saves on counterattacks with less than 20 minutes in regulation.
The opening was finally there for Trine in the 89th minute as Second Team All-Conference recipient Butterworth had a shot blocked and then Veronica Ocampo [Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Memorial] got a touch on a loose ball just in front of the net and shunted it back to her for the game-clinching goal.
Sophie Aschemeier [Findlay, Ohio / Liberty-Benton], also a Second Team All-Conference honoree, polished off her second consecutive shutout along with the defensive line of Hill, Ellie Price [Terre Haute, Ind. / Terre Haute North Vigo}, Anissa Rios [Chandler, Ariz. / Corona del Sol] and Andrea Wright [Plainfield, Ind. / Plainfield].
