San Antonio - Trinity's women's soccer
team battled out a 2-1 win over Montclair State University in the
third round of the NCAA Playoffs on Friday night, advancing to
tomorrow's NCAA Quarterfinals.
The Tigers and Red Hawks are ranked in the top five in both the
National Soccer Coaches Association Division III poll, and the
D3Soccer.com national poll. Trinity improved to 23-0-2 with
the win, while Montclair State (20-1-1) suffered its first loss of
the year.
Trinity struck first with a goal in the waning minutes of the
first half, as Kirby Peddicord's corner kick in the 43rd minute
started off the scoring play. Emily Donnan was able to flick
a header to Yasmeen Farra, who found the back of the net to put the
Tigers up 1-0 at the half.
Early in the second half, Donnan picked up another assist,
passing to Kelsey Falcone for a long-distance goal in the 52nd
minute. Falcone leads the Tigers with 21 goals this season,
which is tied for the fourth-highest single season total in school
history.
Though Montclair now trailed 2-0 in the game, the Red Hawks had
plenty of time to get back into the game, which they did with a
goal just 5:01 later. Jennie Hornstra scored on an assist
from Kaila Fasano to cut the lead in half.
Less than a minute later, Trinity was awarded a penalty kick,
and seemed to have reclaimed momentum. Montclair goalkeeper
Gina Policastro made a stellar save on the PK, though, and the Red
Hawks still trailed by just one.
The Tiger defense proved to be too much in the end, though,
allowing just one shot over the final 30+ minutes of the game to
preserve the win.
Trinity advances to face Wheaton (IL) College in the next round,
and that game is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. kickoff tomorrow
evening.