OLIVET, Mich. – The Trine University men's soccer team started the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) portion of their schedule with a victory, defeating their hosts from The University of Olivet by the score of 3-2.
The Comets struck first in the contest, taking the early 1-0 lead with a goal in the tenth minute of play. It took 20 minutes, but the Thunder responded when Ben Borak beat the keeper and scored from eight yards out.
A costly foul let Olivet retake the lead two minutes later on a penalty kick. Will Sandlin responded in the 41st minute after receiving an expert pass from Jonah Sipes. The goal capped the wild first period and sent the game to intermission with a 2-2 score.
In addition to the score the two teams were even in most offensive categories during the half. Olivet had seven shots to six by Trine, with both teams putting five on net.
Ultimately, the game ended with both teams recording 14 shots, but the difference turned out to be in net, where Brandon Walker finished with six saves, including five in a shutout second period.
Despite his performance the game may have ended in a tie if not for Sipes, who gave the Thunder their first lead of the game in the 68th minute of play. Nikola Bastaic added an assist on the tally.
Trine improves to 3-6-1 overall and 1-0 in MIAA play following the victory. They will next take to the pitch when they host Kalamazoo College on Saturday, October 10. That game is scheduled to be played on Shive Field in Zollner Stadium with a 6 p.m. kickoff.
