Crossroads League Champinoships Central
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Trojans season ended on Wednesday afternoon after a 1-0 lead evaporated in the blink of an eye in the second half of a 2-1 defeat against RV Grace in the Crossroads League Quarterfinals.
Taylor came close to scoring less than a minute into the match, as Audrey Grimm delivered a cross to the far post, which was just too high for Kiana Siefert, who would have had a clear header.
The Lancers then began to go on the front foot and had the first five shots of the game, but only one was on target and saved by Brianna Rawlings, who grabbed four saves in the contest for 73 in her first season as the starter between the posts.
Taylor (7-6-4) responded by forcing a save from the Grace goalie as Emma Carrell fired a shot on target.
The teams went into the half tied at zero, with only two shots forcing a save, one for each team, as the squads tried to find their footing in a win-or-go-home match.
TU got the opening goal after a good run of play in the second half, with Siefert leading the charge forward. Siefert had a shot on goal saved, then earned a dangerous free kick, and finally delivered a corner earned after good link-up play with Libby Thomas. The corner found its way to the back post, and Lauren Collins battled with a defender, who knocked it back to the near post and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead on an own goal.
The Trojans had a chance to double their advantage soon thereafter when Grimm delivered a cross to Eliza Luttrell, who rippled the side netting with a shot at the back post.
The Lancers were able to level the score through a corner of their own, which found the head of someone inside the six-yard box to guide it past the keeper for the equalizer.
The home team took the lead four minutes later with a run on the baseline into the box, which resulted in a fire shot into the top of the net to complete the comeback.
TU's best chance fell to Siefert, who made a run across the field and dribbled into the box before firing a shot, which was saved at full stretch to deny the junior.
Taylor's season comes to a close after another heartbreaking defeat against RV Grace (13-3-2). The Trojans bid farewell to seven seniors who were key contributors during their time in the squad and will look to rebound next season by returning eight players who started seven or more matches this year.
