Trojans Stymie Saint Ambrose to Win Home Opener

UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor held visiting Saint Ambrose scoreless until midway through the fourth quarter in Saturday's home opener for the Trojans at Wheeler Field, as TU rolled to a 10-1 victory to improve to 3-1 on the season.

The win was TU's third in a row, putting the Trojans just one victory shy of matching last season's program-best four-game win streak. The 3-1 start also ties the 2019 and 2021 squads for the best start in program history.

The 10-1 outcome also gave Taylor its first-ever win over Saint Ambrose in six tries, while the one goal allowed tied a single-game program record for the Trojans.

The final box score would show an even statistical matchup between the two teams on Saturday, but it was all TU on the scoreboard. The Trojans jumped to a quick 4-0 advantage and padded the lead with two early scores after the half.

The Taylor lead swelled to 8-0 before SAU (0-4) finally cracked the scoring column with 9:28 left in the contest.

Jackson Dale was busy once again, notching three more goals and two assists for his third-straight game with at least three scores. The sophomore has posted 13 goals in TU's last three games, all Trojan victories.

Also scoring multiple goals in the win were Will Saxby, Will Vanderkodde and Henry Cooper with two each.

Saturday's star was in TU's goal however, as Ben Harrell made the difference with phenomenal play between the posts. Harrell racked up a season-high 16 saves to anchor a stout defensive performance from the Trojans.

Dmitri Williams also was active, ending with a team-leading five ground balls and Xander Bateman added a pair of caused turnovers.

Taylor (3-1) will look to make history with a fourth-straight win and a 4-1 start when it hosts RV Benedictine (0-1) on Monday in a 1:00 pm start.