(TRINIDAD, CO) – The Lady Trojan Soccer team opened the 2016 season with a pair of Region IX games against two of the toughest teams in the region, Western Nebraska and Laramie County. The Trojan squad would come away with a 1-1 tie against the Cougars on Friday and an impressive 3-2 win over the Golden Eagles on Saturday.
On Friday at Los Niño's Park the Trojans got off to a fast start when Alejandra Mendez curled in a beautiful shot from the top of the box just past the diving keeper. The Cougars answered late in the half with a long shot of their own to send the teams into the half knotted at one. The Trojans got some great looks throughout the second half and overtime but couldn't capitalize and the game would remain tied at the final whistle. Tori Bonahoom had a strong game in goal with 3 saves.
On Saturday a worn out Trojan team took the field against LCCC, who defeated nationally ranked Otero in La Junta the night before. The Trojans got off to a hot start when Laeticia Rambeau drove down the left side and dashed a shot past the keeper for a 1-0 lead in the second minute. The Eagles pressured the Trojan defense relentlessly throughout the rest of the half, but it was TSJC who would get another goal from Rambeau. LCCC would get on the board in the closing seconds of the half on an own-goal from the Trojan defense.
LCCC tied it up early in the second half but Rambeau would complete her hat trick in the 70th minute to put the Trojans up for good. The Trojan defense survived a furious onslaught in the closing minutes to preserve the 3-2 win. Bonahoom had an amazing game in goal finishing with 12 saves.
First year head coach Peter Freeman had this to say about the effort of his team. "On Friday, we played phenomenal. It was very unfortunate we couldn't get three points from that match. We were the better team and had numerous scoring chances. We just couldn't find the back of the net and that allowed the opposing team to stay in the game and keep it close. On Sunday, we were fatigued and you could tell. As a unit we were moving rather sluggish and not communicating effectively. We scored early and that seemed to get the motor going. LCCC put us under a lot of pressure defensively. They had numerous scoring chances but the goals wouldn't fall for them. I felt the game could've gone to either team. It was great to see Laeticia get a hat trick, it was a great way for her to start the season. Tori also had a great game in net, she made some excellent saves that kept us in the game. All in all, it was two great games and an even better way to start off the 2016 campaign. The huge win against LCCC was a great confidence booster moving forward into the season, I am very proud of them."
The Trojans will return to action against first year program Northeastern Junior College on Friday at Los Niño's at 2 p.m.