WHEELING, Ill. --- The TIU men's soccer team welcomed the Lincoln Christian Red Lions to the Chicagoland area on Thursday night for a non-conference bout on the pitch. On a night where the program honored its seven seniors, the Trojans looked to build their confidence coming off a tough loss at Holy Cross (IN) just one night earlier in Indiana.

Just two minutes into the match, senior Michael Lord dribbled down to the end line and laid the ball off for senior Austin Moore to give the Trojans an early 1-0 lead. Trinity would have many shots but struggled to find the back of the net until Trenton Garside would get a pass from Xavier Brown to find the back of the goal in the 27th minute for the 2-0 lead. Two minutes later, Dalen Baldridge would put his name in the books after Xavier Brown again sent a cross from the far side of the penalty area to find Baldridge on an open shot for the 3-0 lead. Xavier Brown wasn't finished as he would notch two goals of his own in the 38th and 44th minute and Trenton Garside would find another in the 45th minute to extend the Trojan lead to six just before halftime.

The second half would be a different start as the Red Lions found their first shot on goal in the net from Shayne Alcantara three minutes into the half to bring some energy back to LCU. Although the Trojans had 17 shots in the first half, they were held to nine shots in the second as they battled through a persistent wind and rain shower, but still found the back of the net twice from Troy Sy in the 64th minute and Luka Eric in the 72nd, en route to  an impressive 8-1 TIU win.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Thursday's match was just the second all-time meeting between TIU and Lincoln Christian. Having won the only other meeting 13-0 last season, the Trojan lead the series 2-0.

• Trinity's eight goals against the Red Lions are the most scored in a match since their 13-0 rout at Lincoln Christian on Aug. 27, 2019.

• On a night where the Trojans dominated possessions, TIU outshot LCU 26-7 in the win.

• Prior to Thursday's match, the program honored their seven senior players (Andre Wentzel, Josiah Fuchs, Josiah Joseph, Michael Lord, Austin Moore, Jorge Nambo and Jake Butenuth).

• Austin Moore's opening goal in the second minute of the match was the first of his career.

• Trenton Garside's goals in the 26th and 44th minutes were his second and third of the year, and fourth and fifth of his career.

• Dalen Baldridge's 28th minute goal was the first of his career.

• Xavier Brown's goals in the 37th and 43rd minutes were his second and third of the season, and seventh and eighth of his career.

• Troy Sy's 63rd minute score was the first goal of his career.

• Luka Eric's goal in the 71st minute was his first of the year, and fifth of his career.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (3-4-0) return to action on Satuday, March 27 in Joliet as they battle the St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints in conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30pm at Joliet Memorial Stadium and can be watched LIVE on USF SportsNet.

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.