SEGUIN, Texas – The Trinity men's soccer team was edged 1-0 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship game against the University of St. Thomas (TX) on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers (16-1-1) made their first appearance in the championship match since winning the title in 2018, but fell short in the finale for the first time since tying Rhodes College (TN) in 1992. Despite the loss, Trinity will still receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs, as St. Thomas is not eligible to participate in the postseason. The Celts are in their final year of transitioning into Division III and will be eligible beginning in the 2022-23 school year.

The Rundown

Trinity held a distinct 20-6 advantage in total shots and a slim 5-2 margin in corner kicks, but the shot that made the difference came in the 75th minute. St. Thomas broke the scoreless tie on a free kick that was redirected into net on a header.

The Tigers had just one on-target attempt among six total shots in the first half, which came in the 16th minute from leading scorer Michael Meese (Williamsburg, Va. / Jamestown).  

After halftime, Trinity more than doubled its shooting output with 14 total attempts – including four on-target shots and two more shots off the crossbar.

Chen Adjei (Euless, Texas / Trinity) had his shot saved nearly 10 minutes into the half, then his attempt after a corner kick hit off the crossbar in the 59th and the game remained scoreless.

Connor Jones (Dallas, Texas / JJ Pearce) had his attempt in the 64th minute saved to keep the game level, then a foul by St. Thomas just over a minute later had the Tigers on the attack again. This time it was Meese who was just off the mark with a shot off the crossbar as the clock neared 25 minutes remaining.

St. Thomas had its first shot on goal in the 67th minute and was stopped by Trinity goalkeeper Juan Carlos Vidales (Laredo, Texas / IMG Academy). Minutes later, a Tiger foul in the 74th minute set the Celts up with a free kick from about 30 yards away. That wound up being the game-deciding goal with just 15:38 remaining.

Jack Downes (Sheffield England / Queen Ethelburgas) had a shot from the top of the box that was deflected toward the net and saved a little over three minutes later. Jones had a header fly just over the crossbar with a minute to play, then Fraser Burns (Dalry, Scotland / Garnock Academy) had the final on-target attempt for the Tigers that was saved with 48 seconds left.

Up Next

Trinity will await the official announcement for the NCAA Playoffs as part of Monday's Selection Show. The Tigers will find out where they will play and who they will be facing to start the postseason.