Men's Soccer Dominates In Three Straight Victories

Trinity -- 5
Vassar -- 0

---

Trinity -- 6
E. Conn. -- 0

---

Trinity -- 2
Tufts -- 1

This fall has been a season of streaks for the Trinity Men's' Soccer Bantams. Four opening wins were followed by three straight losses, leaving the Bants just over the .500 line, the widely recognized sign of mediocrity. As of now, the Bantams are 7-3, having just beaten NESCAC powerhouse Tufts in a dramatic sudden-death overtime victory. This win followed two convincing victories over weaker opponents, Vassar and Eastern Connecticut. In a span of just seven days, Trinity propelled itself back into the playoff picture and established itself as a legitimate force in New England. Trinity is on a roll and is showing no signs of stopping.

This week of Bantam dominance began in Poughkeepsie, New York, home of Vassar College. Early, the Vassar squad showed signs of life, creating the first two quality opportunities of the game. Their success was short-lived, however, and Trinity would soon put this non-league game to rest. Striker Morgan Sandell '03 shone in this match, as he recorded his first career hat trick. Brett MacQuarrie '01 and Christopher Zoppi '02 tallied the other goals, while Tom Hambrick-Stowe '01 recorded yet another shutout in the net. The final score was a convincing 5-0. Sandell's effort placed him among the league leaders in scoring, quite an accomplishment for a first-year player. Kamale Davis '02, in the first start of his career, gave an excellent defensive performance. Trinity hosted state rival Eastern Connecticut for the next game, in what would prove to be another rout. The final of this match was 6-0. Zoppi and Mike Wilson '00 had two goals apiece, while Daniel Rudolph '01 and Stuart Poole '03 both netted their first goals of the season. It was Poole's first career tally. Hambrick-Stowe was solid in another shutout. He now holds the school record for career shutouts; remarkable considering he is only a junior.

Though these two victories are significant, it is likely that the Bants will look back at their game this past Saturday as one of the biggest of the season. Trinity traveled to Medford, Massachusetts, along with a host of other Trinity teams to take on the Jumbos. Tufts is a contender in New England Division III soccer, but the Bants were up for the challenge.

The scoring began, as Kaley Iandiorio '01 played in a beautiful cross, which MacQuarrie nodded in. Tufts would get the equalizer in the first half, after a controversial call in the penalty box gave Tufts a penalty shot. The Tufts player converted, leaving the score 1-1 at the half. Regulation would end at 1-1, as neither side finished a chance in the second. It took the Bants just a few minutes to end the sudden-death period, as MacQuarrie tallied his second goal of the day, beating a Tufts defender and the goalkeeper. It was a gutsy performance by the Bants; a talented Tufts side, an incompetent referee, and a hostile cheering section could have discouraged Trinity.

Trinity chose to overcome these obstacles, and enjoy a 7-3 record as a result.

Trinity's next match is at home against Bowdoin, this Saturday at 11:00.