The 1-1 final score does not accurately tell the story of what took place today on Shartner Field as the Trinity International University Trojans went up against the Culver-Stockton Wildcats. TIU dominated the game as they controlled possession of the ball for most of the contest and out shot the Wildcats 34-11.

The Trojans started strong in spite of an injury that sidelined junior Vasily Giannakopoulos in the 6^th minute of the game. V. Giannakopoulos collided heads with a Wildcat defender as he attempted a shot on goal. He would not return for the rest of the game after the collision. Junior Kenny Stoner played well in his place.

The Trojan fans had much to cheer about as freshman Jared Ventura scored in the 11^th minute. Ventura's goal came off of an assist from sophomore Michael Schroeder and Stoner. Based on how the Trojans were playing at that point, it seemed like TIU would score several times over the course of the game. 

The first half was marked by the Trojans having control of the ball and a strong defensive effort that left the Wildcats with only two shots on goal. They hoped to carry that into the second half, but Wildcat freshmen Garnet Ferron picked apart the Trojan defense in the 55^th minute and scored off of a pass by sophomore Brady Weinhold.

Despite being fouled 24 times by the Wildcats, the Trojans displayed great sportsmanship. Senior Payton Chitwood assisted an injured Wilcat player until the athletic training staff was called onto the field. Trojan players also encouraged the men from the sidelines led by sophomore Denton Smith.

Senior Marcio DaCruz commented after the game, "We started out well and played within coach's system…we then played our own game." DaCruz went on to say, "The second half started slow and we still were playing our own game….we got back into coach's system in the middle of the second half, but it was too late."

While the Trojans seemed to gain control of the game at the end of the second half and into two periods of overtime, they would end the game without another goal for a final score of 1-1. The Trojans record is now 1-1-1.

Associate Head Coach, Kelvin Tohme, also commented after the game, "We did a lot of nice things in the build up, but we couldn't figure out the final third. With that many shots (34) we should have done better putting more of those opportunities in the back of the net."

TIU's next contest will be in a two-day tournament at University of St. Francis. The Trojans will play St. Francis at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 3^rd, and they will take on Indiana Institute of Technology at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 4^th.