DAVENPORT, Iowa --- The TIU men's soccer team opened the 2020-21 spring season on Saturday afternoon, visiting the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees at St. Vincent Field. Having waited 483 days since their last game, the Trojans were eager to start the season out with a win.

The Trojans started out with a strong first half with seven shots to the Bees three shots, and would get a quick lead in the 7th minute with a goal from Josiah Fuchs, with a service from Tyler Kooi. Four SAU players would be booked with penalties in a six minute span, including a red card, forcing the Fighting Bees down to ten men for the rest of the match. 

The second half would start with the same tension as the first but the Fighting Bees found new life when Ricky Rueda found the back of the net from Daniel Reinoso to even the game late in the 59th minute. Ultimately, the game would head to overtime, but lasted just under eight minutes when Trenton Garside found Edwin Zuniga for the game-winner in the 97th minute to give Trinity the victory.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• After Saturday's win over the Bees, TIU improves to 4-6-1 all-time against Saint Ambrose. It is the first win over SAU since winning 2-1 at home during the 2018 regular season.

• Trinity has now won their season opener in back-to-back seasons for the first time in over 15 years. TIU won at Lincoln Christian 14-0 in their season opener in 2019.

• The Trojans victory was the first time since 2015 that TIU won their first road game of the season. TIU's 2-1 win in overtime at Concordia (WI) on Sept. 7, 2015 was the last time that occurred. 

• Josiah Fuch's game opening goal was the tenth of his career. He now has 27 career points.

• Tyler Kooi's assist on Josiah Fuch's sixth minute goal was the second of his career.

• The game-winning goal by Edwin Zuniga was the first of his career.

• Trenton Garside's assist on Zuniga's game-winning goal was the second of his career.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (1-0) will return home on Saturday, March 6 as they host the Crimson Wave of Calumet St. Joseph in conference play. Kick off is scheduled for 3:30pm CT at the Heritage Park Sports Complex in Wheeling, and can be watched online LIVE on the Trojan Sports Network.

Visit TIUtrojans.com to stay up to date with the latest TIU men's soccer news and schedule updates.

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Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness and lifelong learning.