DANVILLE, Ky. - A Sunday matinee between Centre and #25 Trinity delivered a thriller at Amend Field. Both teams made highlight plays and stellar defensive stops. In the end, Centre was denied all 3 points as Trinity scored an equalizer with 43 seconds to play, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Trinity entered the day 9-0-0 on the season and looked every bit the part in the opening 20-plus minutes.
Madeline Redmon made 2 saves in the first 18 minutes as the Tigers controlled the ball and field position. In the 22nd minute, Trinity worked the ball into the Centre penalty box and a deflection was ruled a handball against the Colonels. The resulting Trinity penalty was converted as Redmon got a hand on the ball but could not keep it out as the Tigers took a 1-0 lead. Centre showed its fight and needed less than 5 minutes for the response.
Aida Bell launched a corner to the back post, where
Ellery Taylor lofted over everyone to forcefully head the ball into the net for the equalizer. From there, chances were limited on both sides as the game went to the half tied at 1.
Shots continued to be limited in the second half as both teams struggled for solid footing thanks to a steady, light rain that fell all game long. The first shot of the half came from Taylor in the 62nd minute but was a routine save for the Trinity keeper. The teams traded corners over the following 10-plus minutes with little to show for any. In the 76th minute, Trinity was threatening again, but the Colonels were able to turn it the other way.
Hannah Hogg then lofted a brilliant ball 30 yards up the pitch where
Mary Martin Hampton was waiting. The senior saw the Tiger keeper charging and calmly chipped the ball over the top and into the net to give the Colonels a brilliant 2-1 lead. With time winding down, Trinity picked up its attack. Redmon had to make diving stops in the 86th and 87th minutes to preserve the lead. Centre was unable to sustain possession and would pay the price. In the 90th minute, a ball was lofted towards the Centre goal and after a shot was blocked, a Trinity player was on the doorstep and slipped the rebound past Redmon for the tying goal at 89:17, ending the thrilling match in the 2-2 tie.
The draw keeps Centre 3 points clear atop the table in the SAA with 4 games to go. The Colonels begin their final home weekend of the season next Friday as Maryville comes to Amend Field. Kickoff is set for 6:00pm.
