LA CROSSE, Wisc. --- The TIU men's soccer team returned to action on Monday afternoon as they visited the V-Hawks of Viterbo University in west-central Wisconsin. Coming off a difficult 2-1 loss to Saint Xavier in double overtime over the weekend, the Trojans looked to bounce back and pick up a much needed win after dropping their first four matches of the 2021 season.
The Trinity lineup would see some different faces as head coach Josiah Larson inserted some new faces into the starting XI, including freshman goalkeeper Jonathan Ayala in his first career game. Viterbo would strike first in the 16th minute as Aidan Radford put the V-Hawks ahead 1-0 on a shot past Ayala. TIU would respond just 94 seconds later in the 18th minute as junior forward Xavier Brown scored past Viterbo keeper Ernesto Ascenzo to tie the game at one goal a piece.
While the Trojan offense, which struggled for the first three matches of the season found more consistency in getting shots on goal, Brown's goal would be the only one they would be able to net all afternoon. Meanwhile, Radford would put the V-Hawks ahead in the 22nd minute for the ultimate game-winning goal as the TIU defense struggled to contact their opponent. Alessandro Lopergolo would add another Viterbo goal in the 27th, and Abdul Samet Ankaoglu scored in the 33rd on an assist from Jacob Battista to hand Trinity their fifth straight loss of the season, 4-1.
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ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES
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Monday's loss was TIU first to Viterbo in the history of the series. The Trojans still lead the all-time series with two wins to the V-Hawk's one.
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Today's match marks the fifth straight loss this season for TIU, and their sixth in a row dating back to last season. Their six consecutive losses is their longest continuous losing streak since dropping six straight to end the 2018 season.
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Trinity finishes the non-conference portion of their 2021 schedule 0-4-0, dropping matches to the reigning NCCAA national champions (Grace), runners-up (Bethel-IN), Indiana Wesleyan, and now Viterbo.
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The V-Hawks out-shot TIU 17-10 in Tuesday's match, including 12-7 in shots on goal.
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TIU's seven shots on goal were the most recorded against a non-conference opponent this season.
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Nine total yellow cards were issued in Tuesday's match, including seven to Viterbo. Five yellows were handed out to the V-Hawks in the second half.
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Xavier Brown's goal in the 18th minute was his first of the season, and ninth of his college career. Brown now ranks second in goals scored among active TIU players.
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In his collegiate debut, goalkeeper Jonathan Ayala recorded eight saves.
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Brown's two shot on goal attempts give him 30 for his career tying him with Blake Etherton (2007-08) for eight all-time in school history. He also passed Evan Paur (2008-11) and Brett Robinson along the way.
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Josiah Fuchs took three shot attempts off the bench on Tuesday giving him 61 on his career, and passing both Travis Bacon (2007-08) and Francesco De Felice (2014-18) for the sixth most shot attempts in program history.
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UP NEXT
The Trojans (0-5-0) will return to action on Wednesday, September 14 as they take on the Indiana University-Northwest Redhawks in CCAC action in Deerfield. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00pm CST at Schartner Field, and can be watched LIVE on the Trojan Sports Network. Fans are encouraged to wear tye dye outfits as part of the TIU's Student Government's themed day.
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Visit TIUtrojans.com to stay up to date with the latest TIU men's soccer news and 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.
