ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University women's soccer team used a late goal by Olivia Butterworth to secure a tie with Denison University 2-2 on Saturday afternoon at home on Weaver Field. The Thunder took the lead in the first half, but two scores in the second by the Big Red had Trine reeling. An opportunity arose in the 85th minute however, and Olivia Argentieri sent the ball in to Butterworth for the game-tying score.
It is the first tie of the season for the Thunder, making their record 4-3-1 overall. Denison remains winless on the year at 0-6-2.
After both teams used the opening minutes to feel one another out, each of them broke free for a scoring chance one right after the other. The Big Red had a shot saved by the keeper Sophie Aschemeier in the 13th minute, and a few moments later, Teresa Ashbrook was free and got behind the defense for a scoring chance that was turned away.
In the 29th minute, Abby Robison found the back of the net after beating the Denison keeper one-on-one. She received a long pass by Ashbrook, who was credited with an assist for leading the forward passed the defense. For the freshman Robison, it is her second goal of the 2022 season.
The remainder of the first half would go without a score, but Aschemeier made a fantastic save towards the crossbar as the first 45 minutes came to a close.
Coming out of intermission, the Big Red went on the attack and broke their scoreless drought at the 57-minute mark. Denison played the ball into the scoring zone off a corner and found the back of the net to knot the match up at one goal apiece.
In the 79th minute, the visitors would take their first lead on a long distance shot that sailed over the heads of the defense. That made it 2-1 Big Red and forced Trine to increase their urgency.
Ashbrook had her shot blocked in the 85th minute, and off the long rebound, Argentieri played the ball in from the left side to Butterworth for the goal. Butterworth slid into position and bounced the shot off the post and across the goal line.
The Thunder carried that momentum to the end of the 90 minutes to draw with Denison in their final tune-up before Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play.
Robison put all three of her shot attempts on goal and Ashbrook took three total shots as well for the home squad. Butterworth was the only other student-athlete for Trine with multiple attempts with two. Shots and corner kicks were fairly even between the teams at 11-10 shots and 6-4 corners, both favoring the Thunder.
Defensively, Aschemeier recorded four saves on the six shots on goal she faced.
Women's soccer makes the in-state trip to Saint Mary's College on Wednesday, September 28 for their next contest. Kick-off is at 4 pm for the conference opener.
