BANNOCKBURN, Ill.. — The pitch looked more and more like a swimming pool as the game wore on while the Trojans took on the Fighting Saints of the University of St. Francis. A steady rain throughout the ninety minutes took its toll on both teams, but the Trojans struggled to come out on top as they fell 1-3. 

In the opening minutes of the first half, TIU was put on its heels behind the onslaught of the Fighting Saints attack that took four shots and two corner kicks in the opening eight minutes. The latter corner kick resulted in St. Francis' first goal of the afternoon. Fighting back, the Trojans took possession and momentum for the following ten minutes, amassing four shots of their own but failed to find the back of the net. In the 27th minute, the Trojan backline struggled to clear a skipping ball due to the conditions and a trailing attacker buried it for Fighting Saint's second goal.

A quick response, the Trojans barreled down the field from the resulting kick off and stole back one of the goals. Junior Joel Kirakos hit a laser, low-struck cross near the front of the goal mouth as Trenton Garside ran near post, hopping over the ball Garside flicked the ball using the inside of his right foot across the face of the keeper and found the twine. Unfortunately, the Fighting Saints answered quickly and increased their lead again with a third goal.

Coming down even harder, the rain continued to have an impact on the game while the wind picked up and forced both teams to keep play on the ground. Possession and momentum swung back and forth rapidly as the Trojans tried to take back another goal but would ultimately fail. In the second half, the Trojans would get off six additional shots as well as four corner kicks, but were unable to add any further goals to the scoreboard while holding the Fighting Saints back.

TIU is back on the field again Thursday afternoon as they honor their seniors for senior day against NCCAA member, Maranatha Baptist and the Sabrecats at 3:00pm on Schartner Field.

 

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TIU Trojans
TIU Men's Soccer

 

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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.