BANNOCKBURN, Ill.. —In their third home game of the week, the Trojans completed the trifecta, finishing with a tied score against the Saints of Holy Cross College after previously earning a win and loss earlier in the week. An exciting, albeit tense game, the Trojans displayed their grit and perseverance against the CCAC top five side in a game  that saw six yellow and two red cards.

From the starting whistle tensions seemed to run high as there were six fouls called in the opening 17 minutes before the first yellow card was given. A lapse in focus gave Holy Cross their first corner kick of the game before blocked shot from the kick set up the lone goal for the Saints as they tapped in the rebound. Midway through the first half, Trinity picked up steam and their offensive pressure grew. Ripping off five shots, the Trojans forced  the Saints goaltender to earn his keep and hold the Trojans scoreless in the first half.

The second half started off much the same as the first with three fouls in the opening 10 minutes before the first shot was taken by Holy Cross. A couple minutes later the Trojans earned their first yellow of the contest. Unfortunately for the Trojans, another foul call quickly ensued and resulted in a soft red card for Trinity forcing them to play down a man. Despite the imbalance of players on the field, Trinity seemed to take the misfortune and turn it into fuel as they adjusted their strategy but we're still able to create dangerous chances at the goal.

As the clock dwindled down emotions boiled over and the Saints found themselves shown a red card in the 79th minute to once again even the playing field. Possession changed hands quickly, but the Trojans defensive unit held firm, allowing just one shot in the final 12 minutes of the game for the Saints, while taking seven themselves. Luck took a turn in their favor in the 87th minute as TK Garside drew a foul inside the penalty box and earned himself a chance on goal with a penalty kick. With poise and precision, the veteran buried it in the right side of the goal, faking out the Saints keeper as he dove towards the opposite side. The tie score at 1–1 would hold for the final three minutes as the Trojans secured their first draw of the season.

After two conference match-ups this week and results from the rest of the league, the Trojans sit at sixth place in the CCAC as they continue their quest for playoffs. The Trojans have three more games left in the regular season, starting with a road trip on Wednesday, October 19 to face the Crimson Wave of Calumet College of Saint Joseph.

 

---

 

TIU Trojans
TIU Men's Soccer

 

---

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.