No. 2 Tiger Men's Soccer Edged by Mary Hardin-Baylor in NCAA Playoffs

No. 2 Tiger Men's Soccer Edged by Mary Hardin-Baylor in NCAA Playoffs

(Story courtesy of Trinity University athletics)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas
-- Trinity's second-ranked men's soccer team was eliminated from the NCAA Playoffs in a 3-2 loss to #18 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX) on Sunday night.

Trinity started quickly with two shots on goal in the first eight minutes, but it was Mary Hardin-Baylor that struck first with a score in the 15th minute.

Less than three minutes later, Daylon Gordon attacked down the right side and sent a short cross into the box for Quentin Van Der Lee.  Van Der Lee redirected the ball in front of the net for Michaelis, who played it back toward the top of the six-yard box for Brady Johnston. Johnston tied the game with his shot that carried through an attempted save by the UMHB keeper.

After shots on goal from both teams trying to pull in front, it was Trinity that took the lead in the 24th minute, as Van Der Lee converted a corner kick from Jacob Hallenberger.

Just over a minute later, Trinity was called for a foul near midfield. The ensuing free kick sailed into the box, and UMHB headed the ball past Trinity goalie Blake Lieberman to tie the game once more with 20 minutes left in the half.

The flurry of goals continued as it wasn't quite two minutes later that the Crusaders regained the lead with a score in the 27th minute of action.

Trinity had two more shots on goal before the half, finishing with eight on-target shots in 12 attempts during the first period. 

The Tigers pushed throughout the second period for a game-tying score, but Trinity had three shots blocked and four shots saved by the UMHB goalkeeper. Trinity led 25-12 in total shots in the game, as well as earning a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks, but the Crusaders were able to advance in the tournament.

The Tigers completed the season with a 21-2-0 record and had their 16-game winning streak snapped. Trinity had advanced to at least the third round of the tournament for the previous five seasons.

Mary Hardin-Baylor avenged a 2-0 loss to Trinity in the first game of the season, and now stands at 17-2-1. 

Quentin Van Der Lee scored his seventh goal of the season, and Brady Johnston picked up his fifth.

Jacob Hallenberger chalked up his seventh assist of the campaign, and finished second on team.