(TRINIDAD, CO) – TSJC wrapped up a successful 2016 soccer season in the semifinals of the Region IX tournament in Denver in early November. The Trojans finished with an 8-7-2 record overall, including a 3-2 win over NJCAA National semifinalist and Region IX champion Laramie County. It was a great season for first year head coach Peter Freeman and his dedicated group of young players with a third place finish in the region.

Following the Region IX tournament the 2016 regional team was announced. TSJC had six players named to the squad. Thais Dos Santos was named first team; Claire Gay, Rachel Fraser, Laeticia Rambeau and Alejandra Mendez were second team. Goalkeeper Victoria Bonahoom earned honorable mention honors.

Dos Santos, a sophomore from Brazil was a great playmaker for the Trojans all year. The 5'2 dynamo scored four goals and racked up a pair of assists this year. Gay played most of the year in the defensive backfield, but still managed a pair of headed-in goals on set pieces. Fraser was a force as the last defender in front of the keeper. Her strong presence helped the Trojans to five clean sheets during the year. She also had a pair of assists. Rambeau was the goal-scoring striker up front most of the year. She had ten goals on the season including a hat trick against Laramie, who only gave up three goals in a game twice all year. Mendez played on the left side of the midfield, scoring three beautiful curling goals, including the overtime game winner against Western Nebraska. Bonahoom was the team captain and the only keeper on the roster. She played every game, only giving up 28 goals in almost 1500 minutes of play.  

"I was very pleased with the team's overall effort and attitude the entire year, both on the field and in the classroom"" commented Coach Freeman. "It was a memorable season that these ladies will remember for a lifetime. We finished in third place, beat Laramie County for the first time in school history and advanced to the semifinals in the Region IX tournament. I was fortunate to inherit a great sophomore group and that helped create the foundation needed to succeed. We do lose a lot of great talent in our sophomore class but talent always comes and goes. What we lose most from our sophomore class is the great leadership this group has. That will be the hardest thing to replace. I am excited to see the underclassmen improve their individual talent, as teammates and most importantly into the leaders they need to be in order to continue the success at TSJC. I want to thank the community of Trinidad and the TSJC faculty and students for their support this season. I also want to thank these ladies for their dedication to success both on the field and in the classroom. You've made this a very memorable season."

The Trojans are losing a solid sophomore class, but will be strong, especially defensively, returning in 2017. With Gay leading the way, the Trojans will also have Sofia Rivero, Madeline Rambeau, Ariana Acosta, Amber Pinon, Alex Stabler, Madison Luttrell, Tierra Lozano and Alyssa Benine returning with plenty of playing experience. Look for even better things from the Lady Trojans in the fall of 2017.