SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The second-ranked Trinity Tigers 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. Box Score | Sectional Website | Interactive Bracket | Photo Gallery
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. CT kickoff tomorrow (Saturday) evening.
