TINLEY PARK, IL - The Lady Trojans (#4) faced Trinity Christian College (#1) and fell, 1-0.

It was a beautiful, sunny 70 degree day for the CCAC Semi-Final match up between the two rivals.  The Lady Trojans knew what to expect with TCC as they had played them on  in regular season and lost 1-0 in overtime.  They prepared mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually and were ready.

Kick-off began at 2 PM.  The TCC Trolls took it to the Trojan defense with their potent offense and dynamic dribbling and movement off the ball.  The Trolls out shot the Trojans 11-2.  TIU's, Rebecca Niedermeyer, was able to hold the fort down and clean up any scary scoring situations the Trolls created in the goal mouth.

Both teams entered halftime scoreless.

The Lady Trojans were rallied together by Coach Gilliam to play "TIU" soccer. That consisted of heart to go all out, confidence to shoot and score, and hard-working, in your face defense. 

TIU entered 2nd half with confidence and belief that they could win the match.  Shortly in the first half, sophomore, Samantha VanDenack anticipated a pass from TCC's center back to their outside back.  VanDenack picked it off and had a shot at goal which went just wide.  The Lady Trojans picked up momentum and played with intensity.  However, TCC did not let up and continued to press back on the Trojan defense. 

With 18 minutes left to play, a TCC player drew a debatable foul just outside of the 18-yard box.  Junior midfielder, Tricia Airth, rifled her left-footed shot past the Trojan wall and goalkeeper into the back of the net.  Despite the deficit, the Trojans continued to play hard until the last whistle blew.

Airth's goal was the game winner with a 1-0 lead over the Trojans.  TCC will advance to play Robert Morris College in the CCAC Championship on Saturday, November 14.

The Lady Trojans finished the 2009 season with a record of 9-9-1.  The Trojans' Coaching Staff could not be more proud of the girls' work ethic and development throughout the season.  At one point in the season, the Lady Trojans were 3-7.  However, they came to work every day and got better little by little.  Their efforts to not give up and persevere through adversities of many kinds were noble.  The ladies finished strong and the coaching staff believes God would smile down upon these girls and say, "Well done, my good and faithful servants."