Trinity men and women’s soccer went 4-0 over the weekend with three wins at Paul McGinlay Field. The women’s team put two more games in the win column after getting their first loss of the season last weekend. Against Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) on Friday, Sept. 12, the Tigers won 2-1 after trailing at home for the first time since the 2023 season. On Sunday, Sept. 14, the Tigers won more convincingly, 4-1 over McMurry.
On the other hand, the men’s team extended its winning streak to five wins in five games. After needing a late winner on the road earlier in the weekend, the Tigers put three goals past Concordia University on Sunday, Sept 14.
Women’s soccer lost for the first time all season on Saturday, Sept. 6th, against Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Despite the game being close throughout, with MIT being the higher-ranked team and the Tigers playing their second game in as many days, Head Women’s Soccer Coach Dylan Harrison shared that his team was frustrated by the result.
“It wasn’t a loss because we’re not prepared, or we’re not doing the right things at training,” Coach Harrison said. “But we built our team with a bunch of competitors, and any loss doesn’t sit well with them. There’s no doubt that their preparation this week has been more focused. We talked a lot about what we want somebody watching our game to recognize, and passion and desire to be the best is what they want to put on display.”
The women’s team was matched up against HSU at 6:00 p.m. on Friday Sept. 12, and from the first whistle, Trinity consistently attacked loose balls, challenged the opposition, and created chances by making runs off the ball. However, despite totaling nine first-half shots to HSU’s two, the Tigers couldn’t find the cutting edge to open the scoring. Instead, the women’s team’s long streak of not trailing at home since 2023 was broken by HSU’s Maeve Connerty just before halftime. A late free kick was allowed to bounce in the goaltender’s box, creating a moment of confusion which the Cowgirls capitalized on.
The second half started similarly for the Tigers, as long spells of possession continued to fall short of the goal they needed. That is, until sophomore forward Alex Doran took matters into her own hands. HSU defender Kalea Willis had been a thorn in the side of Trinity’s attack all night, but Doran took her on directly, picking the ball up in space and carrying right at the former all-conference defender. Doran sent Willis the wrong way with two quick shifts on the ball before calmly finishing to even the score.
Just over three minutes later, Doran carried into the box once more, striking the crossbar with a shot. The opportunistic sophomore forward Madisyn Barganski popped up at the right place at the right time as a striker needs to and finished the chance off of the bounce from the crossbar. The Tigers then held on to their lead for the remaining 27 minutes to get their third win of the season.
On Sunday, the men’s and women’s programs combined for seven goals with only one allowed. For the women, the 4-1 victory came thanks in part to two goals from Alex Doran, as well as a goal each from Barganski and senior forward Hanna Khan.
Coach Harrison talked about his thoughts on Trinity’s play during the game.
“Even on Friday, we felt like the goal kind of went against the flow of the game,” Harrison said. We felt like we had good possession and some good chances early. When you have an emotional game, like that first one, it’s always hard to get up for the second game. We would have loved to take our chances a little earlier, but overall, we’re working hard.”
The men’s 3-0 win also featured a brace, when a player scores twice in a game, as senior midfielder Adam Knutson scored two goals while senior forward Samuel Theiss added the final.
“I’m really proud of their effort on both sides of the ball,” Head Men’s Soccer Coach Paul McGinlay said. “That’s a well-balanced game where I thought it could have even been more, maybe even five, but I would’ve taken three before the game started.”
After a late winner was needed in the Tigers’ first road game of the season on Friday Sept. 12 against Texas Lutheran University (TLU), the Tigers have extended their record to a perfect five wins in five games.
“It’s just a dream come true,” senior defender Luke Chandler said. “Coming from the U.K., playing NCAA soccer was something I always dreamed about. I couldn’t really ask for much more.”
The women’s team gets an uncommon full week off before their next game, a home matchup against Concordia University at 7:00 on Sept. 21. They host again on Tuesday, Sept. 23, as Texas Lutheran University comes to McGinlay Field. The men, go on the road to face Hardin Simmons University on Thursday Sept. 18 and Christopher Newport University on Friday Sept. 19.
