HARTFORD, CONN. – The Bantams secured their first win of the season with a 4-1 victory over the visiting SUNY Oneonta on Saturday afternoon. Trinity now holds a 1-5-0 record, while the Red Dragons stand at 0-5-1.
Trinity struck first in the 9th minute with a breakaway goal. Bantam Taylor Troskey booted the ball over the Red Dragons' midfield line, landing near Elena Lindonen. Lindonen managed to get a toe on the ball, sending it past the defensive line and creating a one-on-one with Oneonta goalkeeper Bryanna Meehan. Lindonen capitalized on the opportunity, finding the open net. Trinity dominated the first half, registering 12 shots compared to Oneonta's 7.
As the first half drew to a close, Red Dragon Sara Kealey leveled the score in the 41st minute. After an attempted shot by Caroline Schimitsch rebounded off the crossbar, Kealey seized the chance, scoring with a right-footed kick from within the 6-yard box. The teams went into halftime knotted at 1-1.
Trinity regained control in the second half, with Lindonen scoring her second goal in the 55th minute, mirroring her opening goal. Just two minutes later, Emma Almoney netted Trinity's third goal after collecting a deflected shot. In the 64th minute, Alyssa Keane added a fourth goal, finishing with a right-footed strike to the lower right corner, assisted by Elsa Deutsch.
The Bantams shared goalkeeping duties, with first-year Lily Bracken playing the first 45 minutes and recording 4 saves, allowing one goal. Zoe Tamborello, also a first-year, protected the net in the second half, denying 3 attempts.
"I continue to be impressed by this team because they've stayed optimistic, focused, and resilient as we've gone through a tough stretch of games", Head Coach Rachael Shroeder commented after the win this afternoon. "Today's goals felt like the floodgates finally opened and help to give us confidence moving forward with the rest of our games this season".
Trinity will be on the road next Saturday, September 28th, for a non-conference match against Brandeis University at 12 PM in Waltham, Mass.