Men’s soccer falls to Middlebury in NESCAC quarterfinals

RYAN MURPHY ’17

SPORTS EDITOR

The Trinity Men’s soccer season ended on Saturday, Oct. 31, following a lopsided loss to the Middlebury Panthers in the NESCAC quarterfinals. The team finished the season with a record of 6-6-4 (3-5-2 NESCAC), but the season certainly did not lack excitement. In fact, it couldn’t have been a more exciting season, with an amazing eight games going to double overtime and another single overtime contest.

In the team’s final regular season match, they took on the Amherst Lord Jeffs, ranked second in the nation, and did not disappoint. Following the pattern of the entire 2015 campaign, the game fittingly went to double overtime, ultimately ending in a 1-1 tie. The result was especially impressive because it ended Amherst’s 14-game winning streak, and was the first time the Bantams beat or tied the Lord Jeffs since 1999.

Amherst took the lead in the 27th minute following a penalty kick goal from Greg Singer. The Bantams fought hard to get back into the match taking 13 shots for the game, but were down by one at the half.

In the second half, the Bantams continued to attack, when finally in the 62nd minute, Tobias Gimand ’17 netted the equalizer, assisted by captain Mark Perreault ’16 and Sam Millbury ’18. What ensued was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams.

In the 65th minute, the Lord Jeffs netted what would have put them up 2-1 but were called for offside. Similarly, in the 76th minute Dan O’Neil ’17 shot the ball into the back of the Amherst net, but was flagged for offside.

The game went into two overtimes, and in the 107th minute Cody Savonen ’17 ripped a potential game-winning shot on goal that the Amherst keeper was able to save. That was the Bantams’ last scoring opportunity and the game ultimately ended in a tie. Goalkeeper Domenic Quade ’17 had a stellar performance, making 9 saves on the afternoon.

The great game against Amherst gave the Bantams a lot of confidence going into the NESCAC quarterfinals against Middlebury. Unfortunately, the Panthers were the wrong team to run into on Oct. 31. Despite playing a highly contested overtime match with Middlebury two weeks prior, the Bantams were quickly put in a hole after a 20th minute goal. The Panthers led 2-0 at halftime, and added 3 second half goals to defeat the Bantams 5-0.

The match was the final one for seniors Jack Vogel (captain), Mark Perreault, and Josh LeBlanc. The men’s team undoubtedly has a ton of promise for 2016, with the starting lineup graduating only one senior. Returning captain Gimand is sure to lead the charge with fellow juniors Savonen, Quade, and O’Neil, among others making a huge impact.