Men's Soccer News

Trinity 1 - Centre 0

Every year, this is a big game, for both sides. The Centre-Trinity match-up has always been a competitive game, with each side bringing all they have to play. This year is no different, with Trinity going into the game undefeated and ranked #1 in the nation, while we were ranked #18 and unbeaten in SCAC play as well. Throw in the fact that we stopped their 72 game regular season unbeaten streak last season and everyone on Friday night in San Antonio knew this was going to be a battle. And no doubt it was.

They game kicked-off and it was non-stop for the next 90 minutes. Trinity has a very high-powered offense that really likes to get forward. They do a very good job of driving the ball to the weak-side and then look to get behind. We knew this was going to be the case, and our defense was ready for their attack. Senior captain David Horne ( Louisville , KY ), sophomore center back Adam Boyer ( Louisville , KY ), junior defender John Templeton ( Chattanooga , TN ), and junior defender Joseph Fisher ( Cullman , AL ) would do an excellent job all night of controlling Trinity's attack, and limiting their good opportunities on goal. Junior goalkeeper Chris Creger (Charleston, SC) would also make play very well on the night, making a crucial save in the second half to keep us in the mix. On the half, Trinity would outshoot us 11-4, with a 4-1 advantage on corner kicks. This should really tell what kind of attack Trinity brings, and our defense, and our team as a whole, did a fantastic job in keeping the score 0-0. The first half certainly wasn't in our defensive end the entire half. The possession for both sides was very even, and we had a couple very good chances in the first period to get on the board. The best opportunity of the half came when junior striker Matt Hoskins would get behind the defense for a 1v.1 with the TU goalkeeper, only to see it blocked wide by an oncoming defender. And so at the half, the score would remain even at 0-0.

At the half, we really didn't need to make any major adjustments to what we were trying to do; just emphasize some things that we were already doing. They boys came out ready to go, as did TU, and it was very clear from the 2 nd half kick-off, that this was going to be a battle to the finish. Unfortunately, the official decided to have an impact on the game, and rewarded Trinity with a penalty kick less than two minutes into the half. Trinity would convert on that kick and go up 1-0. This wasn't necessarily a “bad” call and could certainly be interpreted as a foul. However, he let two very “close” calls go in the first half that would have been in our favor, so to give this was a bit inconsistent. You just hate to have an official decide, or have input, in how the game goes. Especially in a game like this.

Our guys would continue to battle regardless, and would look very dangerous at times in the half. Centre's best opportunity would come midway through the half when junior striker Nick Judah (Louisville, KY) would take a through ball from junior Ed Ohin (Louisville, KY), cut it back around the 18, and place a ball towards the left side that the TU goalkeeper somehow got his hands on to keep the score at 1-0. Moments later, Creger would keep us in the game by making a fantastic diving save to his left to keep a Trinity header out of the goal.

This was a very physical game, with a total of 42 fouls called on the night. And believe me, that count could have been much higher, as the official let the boys play for much of the evening. There were two “scuffles” throughout the evening, that really portrayed the intensity and respect that each team has for each other. No other game in the conference is met with this type of intensity, and neither team wants to lose to the other. In the end, TU would hold on for a 1-0 win.

A tough loss, but the guys really put it all on the line. It was the type of game all the players on that field train for, with two very good teams battling it out for the top of the SCAC, and bragging rights. The atmosphere was great, with over 1800 people in attendance. I couldn't have been more proud with how our guys handled themselves in this game. They played composed, and handled everything that came their way beautifully. We now would have to go to Georgetown , TX and face a tough Southwestern team and try to get out of Texas 1-1.