(Story courtesy of Trinity University)
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The second-ranked Trinity women's soccer team opened the NCAA Division III Championship with a 3-1 victory over the Augustana (Ill.) Vikings on a rainy Saturday night at Illinois Wesleyan University. Box Score | Regional Website | Interactive Bracket
Trinity (22-0-1) is competing in its fifth straight NCAA Tournament, and advances to take on host Illinois Wesleyan in the second round at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, at Neis Field. The winner will advance to the NCAA Sectionals, to be held November 22-24 at a site to be determined.
Illinois Wesleyan (13-3-5) was a 3-0 first-round winner over Transylvania.
Augustana (12-5-4) scored first in the 27th minute, as Somer Druszkowski was credited with the goal after a mishandled ball by the Tiger goalkeeper.
But Trinity's Shelby Guenthardt scored two goals within a five-minute time span to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Guenthardt's first goal, in the 37th minute, was a solo shot from the right, in front of the Augustana keeper. Kelsey Falcone headed a pass to Guenthardt in the 42nd minute of play.
Guenthardt, who has scored 17 goals this season (four game-winners), also has 52 career scoring plays to her credit. Earlier this season, Guenthardt became the fourth Trinity player to record 50 or more goals in a career.
Falcone added a goal with nine minutes remaining in the game, on an assist from Hannah Hommel. The prolific Falcone is Trinity's leading scorer, with 20 goals this season. She also has chalked up 12 assists, for 52 total points.
