ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's soccer team notched their first win of the 2022 season on Monday when the Thunder played host to Franklin College. Trine claimed a 2-1 victory on their home turf, with all goals coming in the second half.
The Thunder improved their record to 1-1 this year as the Franklin Grizzlies fall to 0-3. The offense was dominant for Trine, outshooting Franklin 22-4 and taking 14 corners compared to four for the opponents.
Both teams felt each other out for the majority of the first half of play. Trine tried to use the long pass to get behind the defense, but were unable to put together a quality attempt. The Thunder outshot their opposition 5-1 in the opening 45 minutes, but none of them were on-goal.
Right away in the second period, Trine forced the Grizzly keeper to make plays on the ball. Jay Stevens and Francesco Mazzei each put shots on goal within the first six minutes of game time. Freshman Braden Estep made a highlight reel play on the ball for a bicycle kick, but Franklin's netminder corralled the ball in front of the net.
Tyler Murphy kept the pressure on and when the keeper got out too far, the junior was able to dribble past him, but the Grizzlies' defense was there to preserve the clean sheet for the time being. Off the impending corner kick, the Thunder were able to convert for the first time on the day.
Jarick Aguilar put a shot on net that the keeper was able to stop, however it was Kyle Russell who collected the loose ball and Stevens was in the right spot to net his first career goal in the 55th minute.
Franklin would no go away easy though, as they would draw back to even in the 59th minute with great ball distribution to get upfield. Passes from the middle to right wing back to the middle gave the team an opening to find the back of the net.
Trine continued to pursue opportunities offensively to reclaim the lead and with the help of a Grizzly miscue, the Thunder would do just that. Alhusain Yahya was able to get free for three shot attempts after the Franklin goal, the third of which resulting in a penalty kick for a handball in the box in the 73rd minute.
Murphy took the PK and sent it home to give Trine a 2-1 edge. It is his 24th career goal and 10th game-winning goal. He is now tied for the most in the NCAA Division III era for Trine men's soccer.
The defensive unit of Jared Cromwell, Gavin Hardy and Ryan Cote helped secure the victory by not allowing a Franklin shot over the final 20 minutes.
In goal, Aidan McGonagle picked up the win, his first in Thunder colors.
The men's soccer team continues their homestand with a contest versus Heidelberg University on Friday, September 9 at 4 pm.
