Ballard Scores Late to Send TU to CL Tournament

GOSHEN, Ind. – The Taylor men's soccer team (5-11-1, 2-6-1 CL) needed a win in the regular season finale to clinch a spot in the Crossroads League Tournament, and it did just that in a 1-0 shutout over Goshen (1-15-2, 0-8-1) on the road Saturday night.

The Trojans came out of the gates strong with several opportunities in the Maple Leaf end to open the match, but walked away empty-handed following a pair of saves by Goshen's goalie, Ruam Barbosa. Taylor continued its push to no avail to net an early score as it took the game's only four shots – all on goal – in the match's first 20 minutes.

Later in the half, TU relied on its defense in the 37th minute as it successfully knocked away three separate corner kicks without allowing a single shot attempt to keep the match scoreless after 45 minutes of play.

Taylor again generated chances to score early in the second half, but it could not find the back of the net. Soon enough, the Maple Leafs began to create their own opportunities about a third of the way through second period, but Sam Spiegel answered the call with three saves in a dozen-minute span to swing momentum back to the Trojans.

Sophomore Caleb Ballard used the last of Spiegel's saves to create his own opportunity in the 71st minute when he scored the second goal of his season and career to put TU in front, 1-0.

Goshen came back with another series of corner kicks with nine minutes remaining in the match, but the Trojans held on for the shutout win in nail-biting fashion.

Spiegel's three saves prior to the Ballard goal were all he needed, as Goshen was limited to just eight shots (three on goal) in the match. The junior's shutout marked the eighth of his career.

Despite being held to nine shots themselves, the Trojans kept pressure on the Maple Leafs by landing seven of them on frame. Carlos Sanabria led the team with three shots, and he tied Ballard for a team-high two shots on goal.

Taylor will open CL Quarterfinals play at No. 4 Grace (13-3-1, 7-1-1 CL) Saturday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m.