WHEATON, Ill. – The Trine University women's soccer team were in control for most of the match but were unable to find the back of the net ending their first game of the 2023 season in a 0-0 draw with their hosts from Wheaton College.
Both teams took their time feeling out the opposition. Neither team mounted much of a threat during the first 20 minutes of play. Eventually the home team took the first shot, which went wide left but still received attention from junior keeper Sophie Aschemeier.
Trine took their first shot ten minutes later when junior Bella Mabry fired the ball toward the lower right corner of the net forcing a diving save from the Wheaton keeper. While it would be the lone save of the half, it was not the final bit of excitement. With ten minutes left before intermission, a Wheaton attacker shot the ball off the crossbar narrowly missing out on the first goal of the season.
Out of the break, the Thunder started to apply ample pressure in the offensive end. In the second half the team would outshoot their hosts 11-6 with five of those shots forcing saves. Wheaton would force just one save on the other end of the pitch.
Despite the attempts, including four from just outside the goalie area, neither team found the back of the net and the game remained tied late. In the final seconds the Thunder worked the ball up the field with a few long passes, until Mabry ended up with a final chance. Her shot forced a final diving effort from the opposition with just seven seconds remaining on the clock, before the 0-0 score went final.
Mabry led the team with two shots on goal while senior Olivia Butterworth led the team with four shots total, including one on net. Junior Ashlyn Swartz had a strong debut for the team finishing with three shots and one more on net.
Aschemeier faced minimal action, but directed the defense and corralled the shots that did come her way. She finished with one save.
The Thunder will return to action tomorrow, Saturday, September 1 at 12:30 p.m. The match, which is part of Wheaton's Bob Baptista Invitational, will feature Trine taking on Greenville University. The Panthers were outmatched by Wisconsin-Eau Claire today dropping their season opener 3-1.
