Trinity Soccer Competes with Professional Clubs at Home and Abroad

By Dana McLaughlin

The Trinity Men’s soccer concluded their spring season with a hard-fought 3-2 loss to the newly founded San Antonio National Soccer League team, San Antonio Football Club (SAFC) at the Toyota Field on Thursday.

Trinity men's soccer team (in stripes) plays against 

San Antonio Football Club on Thursday at the Toyota Field

Photos by Dana McLaughlin

SAFC’s starting 11, including former Colorado Rapids midfielder Carlos Alvarez, former San Antonio Scorpion midfielder, Rafael Castillo and Chicago Fire defender, Greg Cochrane, presented a formidable obstacle to the Tigers early on in the match under the lights of Toyota Field.

The Tigers conceded their first goal of the match in the 35th minute as SAFC’s Michael Reed drove home Bobby Moseley’s well struck cross with a header into the back of Trinity's net.  

Trinity’s starting 11 consisted mainly of underclassmen, and three juniors, after losing eight key senior players who are graduating. From the start of the match, SAFC’s pace and technicality on and off the ball in the Tiger’s defensive zone posed a number of serious goal opportunities in the first half. Defender’s Laurence Wyke, Guy Harris and Kellen Reid thwarted many of these attempts.

Wyke, a freshman from Bolton, England was a constant source of energy in the Tigers backfield, often combining with fellow freshman Christian Sakshaug to move the ball into the attack.

Sakshaug, a 2015 All-American midfielder, often dribbled around multiple SAFC midfielders who have years of professional experience to challenge SAFC’s defensive line and force former Orlando City (MLS) goalkeeper Ford to make a save.

SAFC added a third goal in the second half as Trinity’s defense was caught in a moment of confusion when Jason Johnson finished a pass from Carlos Alvarez. Trinity’s Reid and captain Paco Vasquez were quick to score goals of their own in quick succession late in the second half. 

Vasquez notched the Tigers second comeback goal in the 85th minute of play as he rocketed a shot from across the frame of the goal, off the far post, and into the back right-hand corner of the goal past SAFC goalkeeper Josh Ford. SAFC would eventually hold on long enough to preserve the 3-2 victory despite the last minute efforts of Vasquez. 

“Having a young team motivates me to set the example on and off the field,” said Vasquez, a junior, after the game. “It is a pleasure for me to lead great players and individuals as their captain.” 

The notable body size difference between the professional players and the Tigers did not impact the overall competitiveness of the match. Although SAFC was able to get on the scoreboard in the first half, netting two goals behind the Trinity defense, the Tigers’ ability to win and maintain possession of the ball in the midfield created several scoring opportunities for Trinity’s Austin Michaelis, Ryan Hunter and Vasquez.    

Despite the youthfulness of the Tigers starters, junior goalkeeper Todd Whittaker said, “Age really isn't a factor for this program, and being a competitive player doesn't necessarily mean you're an older player.”

Whittaker managed to keep his defensive line organized and disciplined against SAFC’s experienced and explosive offensive line, limiting not only their shots on goal but also their opportunities for free kicks and corner kicks.

“The spring is a chance for us to improve our athletic and technical ability individually,” added Whittaker. As the team looks ahead to the fall season, Whittaker seemed confident that his team will allow individual players to contribute to play an impactful role on the field.  

    

Hunter, a freshman midfielder from Albuquerque, New Mexico, also acknowledged opportunities in the spring that have allowed his team to set a high standard for the upcoming fall season. 

One of such opportunities was a trip to Brazil during Spring Break a couple of weeks ago, when the Tigers competed against several professional and high ranked Brazilian club teams including Boavista, Vasco De Gama, Botafogo, and Zico Academy.

“Playing in Brazil prepared us for the scrimmage against SAFC, because we had ample exposure to the pace and play of next-level teams,” said Hunter.  

“The level of soccer in Brazil is so high, all the players have excellent technique, athleticism and tactical understanding,” and the teams the Tigers faced in Brazil were “hungry to play and win,” said Whittaker.

Fellow junior, Callum Squires echoed Whittaker’s thoughts, “Brazil was an incredible experience on and off the field, and competing at such a high level was fantastic preparation for next season.”

Thursday’s game against San Antonio’s budding professional soccer club was yet another excellent opportunity for the team’s growth, building upon their competition in Brazil over spring break.

Although the Trinity men’s team will conclude their rigorous spring season next week, their preparation for the fall 2016 campaign will continue throughout the summer. “The goal for the fall is always to win the National Championship,” said Hunter. “I think everyone is also focused on getting better and stronger individually this spring to help achieve this goal.”