The Tripod

After a strong start to its season, the Trinity College men's soccer team ended its season on a three-game losing streak, bringing its overall record to 10-4-1. Two of the losses were in regular-season conference play, while the third occurred in the Quarterfinals of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship tournament. Trinity lost to NESCAC opponents Bowdoin College and Amherst College in the final two weeks of the season. After racing to a 5-1-1 conference record, the Bantams fell into a tie for fourth place in the league with a 5-3-1 record. They tied with the Bowdoin College Polar Bears in the league, and because of the head-to-head loss, Trinity received the No. 5 seed in the NESCAC tournament.

The troublesome finish to the season started with a tough loss to Bowdoin on Saturday, Oct. 24, on Trinity's home field. The loss snapped a five-game win streak for the Bantams. Zach Ostrup '13 scored the first goal for the Polar Bears 35 minutes into the game. Trinity had many chances to score in the second half, taking eight shots in the period. The best chance was on a penalty kick by Pete Marlette '11 with six minutes left in the game. Bowdoin goalkeeper Dan Hicks '11 saved the shot, one of his seven saves on the day, crushing Trinity's hopes. Improbably, Hicks scored a goal from three-quarters of the way down the field only minutes later to score his first collegiate goal and secure the win for his team. Trinity took three more shots than the Polar Bears during the game and also took six corner kicks, two more than Bowdoin.

The Bantams went into their contest against the Amherst College Lord Jeffs knowing that a win would guarantee them at least fourth place in the league. Trinity was ranked No. 3 in New England and No. 21 nationally. Amherst scored the game's first two goals, one in the first half and one about halfway through the second half. Trinity was kept off the scoreboard until just over a minute left in the game when Marlette scored by chipping the ball over the Amherst goalkeeper, giving Trinity a little time for an equalizer. Trinity goalkeeper Grant Schonberg '12 assisted Marlette. The game ended 2-1 and Trinity fell into a fourth place tie in the league.

In the Quarterfinal round of the NESCAC Championship tournament on Saturday, Nov. 1, the Bantams traveled to Bowdoin to take on the Polar bears for the second time in eight days. Unfortunately, the result was similar to that of the first game, as Trinity lost 3-0. Schonberg made 12 saves while allowing three goals in 85 minutes of play before Nathan Maggiotto '10 took over in goal. Trinity's best chance to score came off a shot by Sam Wisner '10, but Hicks was able to save the shot. Trinity took 15 shots in the game, but only six made it on target.

Even with their early elimination in the NESCAC Championship tournament, the Bantams are hoping for an at-large bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. The strength of the NESCAC conference this year gives Trinity a shot at being selected. The selections will take place this upcoming weekend.

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