Women's Soccer Loses 3-1 to Trinity Christian in CCAC Conference Contest

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Despite mounting some early pressure against the reigning NCCAA national semi-finalist, the Roosevelt Lakers fell 3-1 to the Trinity Christian Trolls in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference women's soccer action Saturday, October 22 at Morris Field. The loss eliminated the Lakers from contention for the conference tournament next month.

The Lakers (3-7-4, 3-5-3 CCAC) dominated the offense early with a pair of quality scoring chances in the opening 10 minutes. Just three minutes into the match, Mayeri Diaz found herself in space 20 yards from the goal, but her drive barely rose over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Griselda Gurrola snuck her way behind the defense but a last-ditch effort from the Trolls (8-4-4, 7-2-2 CCAC) cleared the danger.

Roosevelt kept up the pressure in the first half until a little under 14 minutes remained when a cross eluded the Lakers defense and found a Trolls attacker for the game's opening tally. The goal only seemed to energize the Lakers, who controlled the final 14 minutes of the opening half. Just a minute after conceding, Roosevelt earned a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and Meaghan Smith's rising attempt worried the keeper as it barely sailed over the crossbar.

The pressure continued in the first five minutes of the second half as the Lakers won two corners to start the stanza. However, a dangerous free kick eight minutes into the second half led to another Trinity Christian goal as the kick rose just out of Herrera's reach. Eight minutes later, another Trolls free kick was put into a dangerous area where an attacker barely beat Herrera to the spot to give Trinity Christian the 3-0 lead.

Roosevelt battled to try and turn the momentum and eventually found its groove with a plethora of late attacking pressure. With 24 minutes left in regulation, the Lakers pushed deep into Trinity Christian's half of the field with some clever passing. The ball found its way to Arreola for a chance inside 15 yards, but her shot was stopped. Fortunately, Smith was right there to bury the rebound to cut the deficit to two.

KEY STATS

• Meaghan Smith scored her sixth goal of the season
• Lola Arreola registered her fourth assist of the year
• Roxana Herrera made seven saves in goal for RU
• The Lakers outshot the Trolls 21-15 in the contest

NEWS & NOTES

• With the loss, the Lakers were eliminated from conference postseason contention
• RU is now 1-11 all-time versus TCC

NEXT UP

The Lakers return to action Wednesday evening in Crown Point, Indiana against Indiana Northwest.  Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30pm at the Crown Point Sportsplex.