Trojans earn 1-1 draw with Cumberland (Tenn.)
Greg Gorham
Box Score Box Score | Season Stats
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After an early goal put them behind throughout much of the match, the Trinity International Trojans found the late equalizer, forcing overtime and ultimately resulting in a 1-1 draw with the Cumberland (Tenn.) Bulldogs, in the final match of the Trevecca Nazarene Invitational. Freshman Taylor Strand (Scottsdale, Ariz./Paradise Valley HS) scored the first goal in his collegiate career in the match, giving the Trojans their second draw of the season.
The Trojans (0-3-2) struggled to get very many offensive chances in the first half, as the Bulldogs outshot TIU 10-1 in the first half. Cumberland (1-4-1) also earned six corners in the first half, but only got one goal during that time, in the 18th minute from CU's Harry Mason.
The second half resulted in a similar tally on the scoresheet, with TIU generating only two shots after the break, compared to Cumberland's 13. The TIU defense held their ground, shutting out the Bulldog attack the rest of the way, while Strand found the pass from Steven Hoeflich (Carpentersville, Ill./Westminster Christian HS) who worked his way around a pair of Cumberland defenders before taking on the keeper and slipping the ball to Strand for the goal.
The offensive attack from both sides slowed during the extra periods, as both sides combined for just four shots. Cumberland had the final chance with a corner kick in the closing seconds, but were not able to convert, as the match ended at 1-1.
Making his first start for the Trojans, junior keeper Kevin Montelongo (Palatine, Ill./Lewis & Clark CC) had a strong showing, making 10 saves and keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard for the final 92 minutes, moving his record to 0-1-1 on the year.
The Trojans have a 10-day break before their next match, when they return to Schartner Field on September 24 to take on Judson in the CCAC opener. Kickoff agains the Eagles is set for 4 p.m.