The Taylor men’s soccer team moved to 2-5 in the Crossroads League with an important 2-1 win against Goshen last Saturday night. The win ties them with Saint Francis at six points in the Cross Division.
Conference games are most important for Taylor because they help determine who makes the conference tournament. Not all ten teams in the conference make the conference tournament, only eight do. Taylor is fighting hard to make the tournament, along with Goshen, making this a key win for the Trojans.
The Trojans struck first just over five minutes into the game with a free kick from junior midfielder Owen Hardy. The ball slipped right through Goshen goalkeeper Matias da Fonseca’s hands and into the net to give the Trojans not only a 1-0 lead, but also momentum. It was Hardy’s second goal of the season and made him the team leader in goals this season.
“That’s always something we talk about, we have to get the first goal, we have to get it early,” Hardy said.
Goshen would respond in the 68th minute though, with a goal from forward Lucas Bontreger, assisted by midfielder Adhika Ezra, tying the game.
Less than ten minutes later, a through ball to junior Quinn Partain was shot past Fonseca giving the Trojans the lead back and the momentum. The goal was assisted by freshman midfielder Webby Phiri, it was his first assist in a Taylor uniform. It was Partain’s first goal of the season.
“As a team we have to stay united even when the other team scores. If the other team does score, typically we come together, get on board with each other, and call each other to a higher standard,” Partain said about responding well to an opposing goal.
For the last five minutes, the Trojans would have to survive with 10 men instead of 11, as senior Cole Guillaume fouled Goshen’s Juan Calvo and a scrum resulted with both teams needing to be separated.
Taylor goalkeeper Joaquin Hansen came up big on Saturday night gathering eight saves, bringing his total to 52 saves on the year. That puts him first in the Crossroads League and tied for third in the nation in saves.
“Chino (Hansen) is not only an excellent shot stopper, but he is key in our possession. Since Chino is so good with his feet, he acts as almost another center back in our possession,” Partain said.
Hardy noted that their next game against Spring Arbor was key to keep the momentum going, but the Trojans lost 3-2 in a nailbiter.
Taylor men’s soccer has four games left, and two of them are at home against Mount Vernon Nazarene on Oct. 24, and Saint Francis on October 31st.
The Taylor women’s soccer team was scheduled to play Goshen the same day, but that game was postponed to Oct. 26 at Turner Stadium at 7:00 PM.
Taylor women’s soccer has five games left, with three at home including the game against Goshen. They play against #2 ranked Marian on Oct. 21st and Bethel on Oct. 28th at Turner Stadium.
