Caitlin Vukorpa | Echo
With a 3-0 win over Saint Francis on Saturday, the Taylor women's soccer team advanced to the Crossroads League Championship.
Taylor displayed a strong combination of both offense and defense, shocking the Cougars, who had beaten the Trojans 1-0 in regular season play.
"We have everybody healthy for the first time in about a month," said head coach Scott Stan. "We are also slightly more defensive. We have changed our formation, playing with three midfielders, one defensive and two attacking. It has been working really well."
The Trojans took the lead in the first half with goals from freshman Shelbi Lowe and Brienna Kruit. Lowe's goal came off a perfect pass from junior midfielder Amanda Roden late in the 23rd minute. Just four minutes after Lowe's goal came Kruit's. The Trojan defender scored off a play in which she moved into the attacking third on a Taylor corner.
Junior goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith shut down every Cougar attack, allowing the Trojans to maintain the two-goal lead going into the second half.
The Trojans continued to play well in the second half, preparing themselves for an upset victory. In the 67th minute, senior defender Christi Dithrich added to the scoring frenzy off a free kick from 45 yards out. This was Dithrich's fourth goal of the season, all of which have come from free kicks. In the final minutes that followed, the Cougars were unable to produce a goal, giving Taylor the 3-0 win.
The Trojans had eight shots on goal compared to the Cougars' 10. Griffith posted her shutout with six saves. Winning its last five contests, Taylor has displayed the most impressive results in the Crossroads tournament, knocking out distinguished opponents Grace and Saint Francis.
Originally seeded seventh in the tournament with a regular season record of 4-5 in Crossroads League play, the Trojans look to take home the Crossroads League Championship against top-seeded Spring Arbor (No. 7 in NAIA). The winner will receive an invitation to the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship.
"We definitely have a chance to win the Championship," Stan said. "We have great players that are motivated to do well. Everyone is healthy, and there is a lot of belief. But most importantly, the team is having a lot of fun in this tournament."
The Crossroads League Championship will take place tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Spring Arbor, Mich.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
