Trinity women win battle of unbeatens over St. Ambrose
Greg Gorham
Box Score Box Score | Season Stats
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- The high-powered TIU attack came through yet again, as the unbeaten Trinity International Trojans defeated the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees 3-2, at Schartner Field on Friday afternoon. The Trojans (4-0) scored three goals in the win, making it the third straight game that TIU has put away at least three goals.
Trinity International's Samantha Yasatan (Racine, Wisc./J.I. Case HS) put her team ahead in the early stages of the match with her third goal of the year. The sophomore fired a shot off the crossbar that the keeper was unable to get ahold of, as the ball ricocheted into the net in the 14th minute of action. The goal also ensured that the Trojans would continue their streak of never trailing in a match this season.
The Fighting Bees (2-1-1) quickly countered and tied the score in the 18th minute. Leading scorer Jordan Eisenberg took the pass from SAU's Ashley Dexter in close quarters inside the 18 and briskly earned the equalizer.
The two sides would go into the half with TIU narrowly leading SAU in shots, 6-5, as well as corner kicks, 1-0.
It didn't take long after the break for Trinity to regain the lead, and in a matter of minutes, the Trojans built a two-goal lead that would see them through the rest of the match.
Freshman Layla Zahniser (Greenville, Ill./Greenville HS) scored her first collegiate goal in the 51st minute, off a rebound following a save made by the Bees' goalkeeper. Less than three minutes later, sophomore Morgan Elzinga scored the game-winner in the 53rd minute, finishing a strong attack from Melissa Loretto (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson HS) and Yasatan, who were both credited with assists on the play. The pair of goals put the Trojans ahead 3-1 with just over a half hour to play.
St. Ambrose would answer with one more attack, in the 58th minute. Ellie Janosz scored her first goal of the year, from the right corner of the 18 yard box. The Bees inched closer, making it a 3-2 game, but that would be as much as they would get as the TIU defense would tighten and close out the rest of the second half.
Liz Burzynski picked up her fourth win of the season in goal, having played all 360 minutes this season so far.
The Trojans will take their perfect record on the road next week, for what will be one of the toughest tests of the non-confefence schedule. TIU faces No. 13 Cumberland (Tenn.) on Saturday, September 14, in what is likely to be the first of two straight matches against nationally-ranked opponents. Kickoff in Lebanon, Tenn. is set for noon.
