Trojan Soccer drops heartbreaker to No. 19 Olivet Nazarene
Greg Gorham
Box Score Box Score | Season Stats
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Sophomore forward Samantha Yasatan scored her 10th and 11th goals of the season to put her team on top, but the Trinity International Trojans ultimately fell to the No. 19 Olivet Nazarene Tigers, 3-2 in overtime, Friday afternoon at Schartner Field to kick off TIU's Homecoming Weekend.
The Trojans (5-4-1, 1-2-1 CCAC) hung tough with the nationally-ranked Tigers (7-3, 3-1 CCAC) through the first 20 minutes, before ONU broke out on the scoreboard. Olivet's Betsy Hetrick gained the upper hand on a misplayed kick from the TIU keeper, and converted in the 25th minute to put the Tigers ahead 1-0.
TIU's defense held strong the rest of the way through the first half, despite ONU holding a shot advantage, 9-2, over Trinity before the break. Yasatan (Racine, Wisc./J.I. Case HS) attacked immediately at the start of the second half, netting her 10th goal of the season just 25 seconds into play, assisted by Melissa Loretto (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson HS). The sophomore gave her team the lead in the 49th minute, breaking away from the defense with a perfectly timed run down the middle of the field, taking the pass from Gina Collesano (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township HS) for the score.
Managing the 2-1 lead until the 86th minute, ONU's Katie Smith scored the equalizer, firing from the left side of the box to send the match into overtime. Smith finished the match with the game-winning score nine minutes into the first overtime session, taking a shot from the top of the box that snuck by the keeper.
The Trojans will hit the road for a pair of games next week; TIU travels to St. Xavier on Wednesday, October 9, before taking on Calumet-St. Joseph on Saturday, October 12.
