Missed Opportunities Cost Taylor in Loss to Cleary

UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor Trojans (0-2-0) fell to the Cleary Cougars (1-1-0) on a warm Friday evening at Turner Stadium.

With the game delayed 45 minutes from its originally scheduled 5 p.m. start time due to the heat, both teams struggled to push the ball and create opportunities early. Only two shots were taken, both by the Cougars, in the match's first 20 minutes.

The action started to pick up for the Trojans midway through the first half, as six Trojans combined to fire eight shots before halftime. TU failed to convert on its opportunities, however, despite great chances on a header from Matt Harrold 24 minutes in, and a dazzling effort minutes later by Brian Matipa who weaved through defenders and fired a shot that required a diving save from the Cleary goalkeeper.

Following a scoreless first half, TU and CU traded chances to begin the second 45 minutes, but it was Cleary's Brennan Goodrow who scored the match's first goal in the 60th minute.

The Cougars tacked on another goal with under a dozen minutes to play. Three yellow cards on CU in the game's waning minutes led to three more shot attempts by Taylor, but it was not enough as the Trojans fell 2-0.

TU outshot Cleary 14-9 and doubled the Cougars up in shots on goal 6-3 overall.

Diego Amezola-Orozco (1-0), who replaced CU's starting goalie in the first half, earned the goalkeeper win, while Sam Spiegel (0-2) was handed the loss.

Taylor will have a chance to right the ship when it hosts No. 17 Madonna next Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m.