Men's Soccer falls to No. 2 Trinity in SCAC Championship

IRVING, Texas – In a showdown between the top two seeds in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Men's Soccer Tournament, it was top-ranked Trinity University that prevailed 4-0 over the University of Dallas on Sunday. The No. 2 nationally ranked Tigers scored a pair of goals each half.

Christian Sakshaug broke the scoreless tie at the 16:24 minute mark on a successful penalty kick. Five minutes later Jacob Hallenberger finished a long pass from Kellen Reid that he was able to beat the Dallas keeper near the top of the box.

The Crusaders battled the remainder of the game trying to counter back. After being outshot 12-5 at intermission, the host institution outshot Trinity 12-11 and overall would put seven shots on frame. Nat Kajiwara (Southlake, Texas) and Hunter Haugland (Bixby, Okla.) combined for 10 shots with six and four, respectively. Chima Ogueri (Garland, Texas) shot both of his attempts on target.

The best offensive chance the Crusaders had occurred in the 59^th minute with Haugland and Kajiwara hammering back-to-back shots. The first was deflected for a save by Trinity's McCaleb Taylor, and then Kajiwara followed with a strike on the rebound that soared high.

Austin Michaelis and Quentin Van Der Lee rounded out the scoring for the Tigers in the last 15 minutes of the match. Taylor posted a clean sheet with six saves.

His counterpart Sean Carlin (Puyallup, Wash.) was saddled with the loss (11-3-2), but the freshman tied a season-high seven saves. His other previous most total was the season opener versus George Fox University. 

Dallas allowed more than three goals for the first time this season. It was also only the second time an opponent scored at least three times, with Sunday's winner being the other moment in the regular season at Crusader Field in a 3-2 double overtime result. 

Trinity improved to 20-1 and won its sixth straight SCAC Tournament Title. The Crusaders close their best season in the conference (10-2-2) with an overall record of 13-4-2. They end as the runners up in their first conference tournament championship appearance.

QUOTABLES

"It was a great season for us. One of the best in my tenure and clearly the best since the University of Dallas has joined the SCAC." - Coach Hoffmann summarizing the overall year

"Fan support was outstanding. The SE corner of students were amazing. I feel they helped the team and certainly made atmosphere. I hope to see them as UD soccer culture in seasons to come." - Coach Hoffmann on the student support

"Great crop of Seniors. Captain Luke Schwarz left everything on the field today. It was great to see them get a chance to compete in a final. This was a great year for UD men's soccer. There is a foundation in place. I feel we have some potential for sustained success." - Coach Hoffmann on his players' effort in the SCAC Championship and how the future looks for the program 

SOCIAL MEDIA

.@UDsoccerCoach Final: #UDCrusaders fall in #SCACmsoc Championship on Sunday. #GoUD #UDMS #d3soc pic.twitter.com/WMZwKt5huT

— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) November 5, 2017