(Story courtesy of Trinity University Athletics Communications)
CLAREMONT, Calif. -- The Trinity University women's soccer team opened the 2024 NCAA postseason with a 1-0 win over California Lutheran University in the NCAA First Round Playoffs on Saturday afternoon.
Madisyn Barganski scored the game-winning goal in the 66th minute to break a scoreless tie and vault the Tigers into tomorrow's Second Round game. The goal is the eighth of the season for Barganski, which ties her for the team lead. Goalkeeper Lauryn Lewis recorded seven saves to preserve the shutout victory, notching her 13th shutout of the season.
Cal Lutheran held a 14-6 advantage on total shots and a 12-3 margin on corner kicks, but the Trinity's only second-half shot on goal was the difference-maker as Barganski scored on a field clearance by the CLU defense.
Lewis made her first save in the opening minutes as Cal Lutheran had three shots in the first 10-plus minutes. Trinity's first shot came after the initial flurry by Cal Lutheran as Kylie Harris and Abby Schneider both had on-target attempts less than 10 minutes apart. Bri Werner got Trinity's final shot-on-goal of the first half in the 33rd minute, then Cal Lutheran finished the half as they started – with a flurry of shots over the final two minutes, requiring two more saves from Lewis to keep it a scoreless tie by halftime.
After the half, Barganski fired first for the Tigers just over 90 seconds into the period. Cal Lutheran had a shot of their own soon after. Trinity was plagued by two offside calls in less than two minutes, while Cal Lutheran piled on three straight corners to keep the pressure on the Tiger defense. Less than 10 minutes later, Barganski scored to change the momentum of the game. Cal Lutheran had two dangerous corners in the final three minutes but was unable to get through the Tiger defense. The only other shot after the Trinity goal came in the final moments and resulted in an easy save for Lewis to clinch the win.
Up Next
Trinity will take on the hosts of this weekend's NCAA Playoff games, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges (CA). Pomona advanced to the NCAA Second Round by defeating the Univesrity of California-Santa Cruz in a penalty kick shootout earlier in the day.
