BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The TIU men's soccer team returned home to Schartner field on the Deerfield campus for the first time this season on Wednesday afternoon as they hosted the Governors State Jaguars in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action. Looking to snap a season-high four match losing streak, the Trojans hoped returning to their home field on campus would provide a spark against a GSU team sitting in third in the league standings.
The Trojans started out dominating possession early on, while the Jaguars struggled to get movement from the start. Trinity had a few opportunities to capitalize but could not find the back of the net. TIU would have ten shots in the first half and would finally get their opportunity when Josiah Joseph would be taken down in the penalty area to give Jonny Mueller a penalty kick attempt. Mueller would put it in the bottom right corner for the 1-0 Trojan lead, 42 minutes into the game. The lead however would last just 14 seconds as the Jaguars would drive down the field and see Hamzat Sanni serve the ball to Dusan Todorovic to bring the game level at a goal a piece just before halftime.
The second half would intensify as both teams would possess the ball well, with both teams having seven shot attempts with no success. Regulation would expire and extra time would start out in favor of Governors State, who started out with a couple shots. The Trojans would be able to defend, but could not put any of their attempts on frame. It wasn't until the 105th minute of the second extra time period that the Trojans would get a long throw in opportunity from Caleb Wells to find the head of Xavier Brown, who found Josiah Joseph on the back side for the easy shot into the net and the game winning goal.Â
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ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES
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With Wednesday's win, Trinity improves to 2-0 all-time against the Jaguars.
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The victory snapped TIU's four match losing streak, their longest of the season and longest since losing six straight to close the 2018 season.
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Wednesday's match was TIU's first played on their home field, Schartner Field, all season due to winter field conditions. The Trojans have split their home matches between the Heritage Park Sports Complex in Wheeling, and the Waukegan Sports Park.
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TIU is 2-0 this season in extra time with the win. Trinity's other extra time victory came in the season opener at Saint Ambrose on Feb. 27 with a 2-1 win.
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The loss by Governors State was just their second of the season in CCAC play. The Jaguars still hold onto the third spot in the league standings with one match to go.
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Despite the win, the Trojans have been eliminated from CCAC Tournament contention with just nine points in the standings.
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Jonny Mueller's penalty kick goal was his fourth of the season.
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Josiah Joseph's game-winning goal was his first of the year, and eighth of his career.
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Xavier Brown's assist on Joseph's goal was his fourth of the season, and seventh as a Trojan.
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UP NEXT
The Trojans (4-8-0) will conclude the regular season on Saturday, April 10 as they host the Lincoln College Lynx with the game being streamed LIVE on the Trojan Sports Network. Due to a potential schedule change, game time and venue may be changed, but will be announced at a later time.
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.