Box Score A Tough Day on the Road: IU Columbus Falls to Trinity Christian
The IU Columbus men's soccer team embarked on a challenging road trip to Palos Heights, Illinois, on September 7, 2024, to face a formidable Trinity Christian squad. Despite entering the match with a respectable 2-1-0 record, the team knew they were in for a test against the 4-1-0 home side.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Trinity Christian came to play. The Trolls struck first, with David Hernandez finding the back of the net just 8 minutes into the game. However, The Crimson Pride showed their resilience, equalizing shortly after through Jon Michael Bright's third goal of the season, assisted by Justin Sylva.
The jubilation was short-lived, as Trinity Christian unleashed a barrage of attacks that left IU Columbus reeling. By the 28th minute, the home team had stretched their lead to 4-1, with Hernandez completing a first-half hat-trick and Guilherme Correia adding another.
Despite the setback, IU Columbus refused to roll over. Kevin Cruz gave the team a glimmer of hope, scoring off an assist from Gideon Adegbeminiyi to make it 4-2 before halftime. The goal seemed to energize the visiting side as they headed into the break.
Coach Kevin Nolan rallied his troops during halftime, urging them to tighten up defensively and push for an early goal in the second half. The team responded with improved play, holding Trinity Christian at bay for the first ten minutes of the second period.
However, the home side's quality eventually shone through. Guilherme Correia notched his second of the day in the 56th minute, effectively putting the game out of reach. Daniel Garcia's goal four minutes later was the final nail in the coffin, sealing a 6-2 victory for Trinity Christian.
Despite the loss, there were positives for IU Columbus to take away from the match. Jon Michael Bright continued his fine form in front of goal, while Kevin Cruz opened his account for the season. The team showed flashes of resilience and fighting spirit, particularly in their response to going behind early.
Goalkeeper Jacob Kasarda, though conceding six goals, made several crucial saves to prevent the scoreline from being even more lopsided. The defense, led by Eduardo Cordova and Cyuzuzo Ndayambaje, will have learned valuable lessons from facing such a potent attack.
As the team boarded the bus back to Indiana, the mood was one of determination rather than defeat. With their record now standing at 2-1-1, IU Columbus knows there's plenty of soccer left to play this season. The challenge now is to regroup, learn from this experience, and come back stronger in their next match.
Coach Nolan and his team are back on the road next Wednesday, September 11th at 7pm against Marian University.
