COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The No. 3 nationally ranked Trinity Tigers took a trip to Colorado College to close out what has been a phenononal regular season. Trinity is ranked first in the West Region while Colorado is ranked third so this match was important for many reasons. The Maroon Tigers are sitting atop the conference while CC is currently fourth. Trinity was able to pull away late with a goal from senior Philip Duenez (San Antonio, Texas / Stevens) after scoring on a counter attack that was set up by first-year Tom Whitwell (Warwick, England / Repton School). 

After winning tonight's match, TU finished the regualar season (15-0-1, 7-0-1 SCAC) while Colorado College falls to (10-4-1, 4-2-1 SCAC). With tonight's win, Trinity clinched the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship.

In the ninth minute of the match, first-year Hunter Cain (Katy, Texas / Cinco Ranch) set Michael Meese (Williamsburg, Va. / Jamestown) up with a through ball that the first-year forward put into the back of the net to give Trinity an early 1-0 lead. In the 14th minute, Colorado tied the match at 1-1 with a goal of their own. With his 11th goal of the season,Meese remains second in the conference behind Luis Green from TLU. 

Trinity scored their second goal of the night on a counter attack to take a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute of the match. Whitwell forced the turnover and raced down the right side of the field to set up a cross. Senior Fraser Burns (Dalry, Scotland / Garnock Academy) gained control of the cross and found Duenez who scored his third goal of the season to give the Maroon Tigers a late lead. After taking the lead, Trinity's backline put their foot down by only allowing one shot which was blocked by a TU defender. 

The Trinity defense allowed 15 shots, five of which were on goal. Senior goalkeeper Juan Carlos Vidales (Laredo, Texas / IMG Academy) saw five shots come his way, the keeper recorded four saves on the evening. 

The Marron Tigers took 17 shots on the night and put seven of those on goal with two finding the back of the net. Both teams took five corners on the night. 

Up Next 

Trinity will take Sunday off and begin preparation for the SCAC Championship that will take place next weekend.