(Story courtesy of Trinity University athletics)
AMHERST, Mass. -- The second-ranked Trinity University men's soccer team secured its third straight trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals with a 2-0 shutout win over Brandeis University on Saturday afternoon.
"It feels great, but I would much rather be in the semifinals," quipped Trinity Head Coach Paul McGinlay after today's win. "Again, defense wins championships. It was our third shutout of the tournament, 18th of the year. It was a very solid defensive effort, with the attack getting critical goals at critical times. Ten minutes in, and two minutes before the half . Those times gave us great momentum in the first half. A 2-0lead going into the second half certainly gives us a cushion, but, as our players well know, it's the worst lead in soccer."
Trinity improved to 22-2-0 this season with its 17th consecutive victory. The Tigers also beat Brandeis 2-0 in San Antonio back in early September. Brandeis falls to 18-3-1 with the loss.
Christian Sakshaug put the Tigers on the board with a goal in the 10th minute of play. That puts him in a tie for the team lead with nine goals this season, and it was his second game-winning goal of the campaign.
Just before halftime, Austin Michaelis hammered home his fifth goal of the season to put the Tigers up 2-0 at intermission. Michaelis was assisted by Brent Mandelkorn on the goal that gave Trinity alll the insurance it needed at the end of the day.
Chad Margotta recorded five saves to preserve the shutout for the Tigers, which was the 14th of the season for the senior goalkeeper. Margotta has now turned away 81 shots by the opposition, which is the most in a single season for a Tiger goalie since 1995.
Trinity will take on hosting Amherst College at 1 p.m. ET in tomorrow's quarterfinals, and the winner will advance to the Final Four in Kansas City, Missouri. The semifinals and finals will be December 4-5, and the Tigers are seeking their fourth appearance in the semifinals, but the first since 2007.
