RV Taylor Commences Crossroads League Play with Dominant Showing

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The RV Taylor women's soccer team (6-1-2, 1-0-0 CL) opened Crossroads League play Saturday with a resounding 5-1 victory over Saint Francis (3-5-2, 0-1-0) on the road.

In a first half that was dominated in every way by TU, the opening goal came in the 39th minute in an unconventional manner. Three substitutions from the Taylor sideline played key parts in the score, with Meskerem James forcing a takeaway to initiate the action. James passed the ball to Eliza Luttrell, who was tripped up but maintained possession while she got back on her feet. Luttrell then made the short pass to Leah McQuade, who fired from 20 yards out and scored on a perfect shot out of the goalie's reach.

The Trojans took the 1-0 lead into the intermission, while they led in the shots category 19-1 and took all six of the corner kicks seen in the first 45 minutes.

TU came out firing early in the second half, scoring just five minutes in on a nice combination from Lauren Collins to Audrey Grimm in front of the net. The goal served as the eventual game-winner, the second straight game in which Grimm has scored such a goal.

A couple minutes later, Chloe Sena made an amazing individual effort with a sprint-dribble from the sideline to the middle of the field that opened up a scoring opportunity for herself. Sena cashed in on the chance with an impressive strike from long range to up her team-leading goal total to six.

The Cougars got on the board in the 60th minute to cut the Taylor lead to two, but they never seriously threatened to close the gap further.

In the 78th minute, Libby Thomas played a terrific through ball ahead to Lauren Collins, which set the junior up for her second goal of the season and put TU on top 4-1.

The Trojans added another goal to match their season high with just over three minutes remaining, when James and Luttrell combined for a score, with James picking up her first collegiate assist on the play.

By day's end, TU compiled a season-high 37 shots, with 22 of those landing on frame. The five separate goal-scorers were also the most the Trojans have had to this point in a single match.

RV Taylor looks to extend its four-game winning streak against Grace (2-5-0) on Wednesday, Sept. 27 back home at Turner Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.