Trinity -v- Chapman

Friday night marked the opening of the 2010 Alumni Weekend for Trinity University Soccer. It would be the only match scheduled for the weekend and was a great way to kick things off for the current team as well as the former players that were able to return. Former Trinity Soccer players returned from the 1980's, 1990's and the 2000's to watch us put on a show.

We knew going into the game that it would represent an important opportunity to experience a tournament-like competitive environment. A West region matchup against a team who is likely to earn an NCAA tournament berth this post-season would prove to be a good test this time of the year as we prepare to wind down the regular season and hopefully wind-up for what lies beyond.

The week of training had gone pretty well, starting off with a grueling session with Paul S. to evaluate our mid-season fitness as it compares to pre-season. We also spent a good deal of time ensuring our abilities to pass and receive stayed sharp and focusing on our decision making under pressure.

As we took the first possession under the lights, we showed an immediate presence. We imposed our will on the game immediately, yet came up empty after a handful of good opportunities. It seemed to be only a matter of time, and thankfully Kelly ensured it wouldn't require too much to tick away. She made a fantastic turn off a feed from Tara just 12 minutes into the match, splitting a couple of defenders and drawing the keeper. With great composure, she would tuck it inside the far post for her 10th goal of the campaign. The match would continue to tilt in our favor, but it wasn't until the 33rd minute that Abby would convert a chance into a goal that would push her to 11 on the year. Kelly's effectiveness provided yet another assist for the record books. We would go into half-time with an uncomfortable 2-0 lead, knowing it could have and should have been more, but pleased with the general quality that we were getting.

The second half began with a complexion much like that of the first half and would only require seven minutes before Abby would turn and run at their back line and slip Shelby into the box for a clinical finish to make it 3-0. Just seven minutes later, Tara would provide another assist, this time playing a little first-time ball to Danika off a possession change. Danika took a great first touch and smacked a ball from 20 yards out to put things further out of reach. If the scoring had stopped there, Danika would likely have had a goal of the night candidate, but Katy found a ball in the 72nd minute on the right-hand side cutting in, and absolutely crushed a ball off the inside of the far top corner ricocheting back to the opposite side-netting to make it 5-0.

We got great minutes from the majority of the roster which proved beneficial on many levels. We are continuing to press our collective envelope...striving to get better with each day. This week's training will be preparing us for our final regular season home weekend for four seniors with conference matches against Sewanee and Oglethorpe. These matches are critical for us to keep pressing for the Conference championship. Rest assured, our focus is on Friday night...

-LK