Trojans defeat Holy Cross 1-0 in final home game
Greg Gorham
Box Score
Box Score | Season Stats
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- The long men's soccer season ended on a high note for the Trinity International Trojans, who earned a 1-0 victory over Holy Cross on Tuesday afternoon at Schartner Field. TIU's leading goal-scorer Erik Yamane put in the lone score of the match, tallying his fifth goal of the season in the 54th minute.
The Trojans (4-10-3, 3-7-1 CCAC) held possession throughout much of the match, against a Holy Cross team that ranks 3rd in the CCAC in shots. TIU outshot the Saints (12-6, 7-4 CCAC) 6-4 in the first half, and had an 18-13 shot advantage for the match. The Trojans and Saints battled to a scoreless first half, Trojan keeper Sean Avila making two of his four saves before the break.
Coming out of the half, TIU again controlled the tempo, and finally broke through in the 54th minute. Following a Holy Cross foul, defender Chad Springetti delevered a ball to the left flank, taken in by Jared Ventura. Finding Yamane in the box, Ventura delivered a cross that Yamane headed in for the goal.
After the score, the Saints' attack picked up, taking more chances at finding the equalizer. Avila made another two saves in the second half, while the Trojan back line limited the number of shots on goal allowed. TIU regrouped to hold the ball throughout much of the final ten minutes, running out the clock on a potential Holy Cross comeback.
With the win, the Trojans end the 2013 season in a two-game win streak, and claimed victories in three of their final five matches. They collected 10 points in the final CCAC standings, with a 3-7-1 record, their highest point total in five years.
