James Nets a Brace While Thomas Provides a Trio of Assists in CL Win

Video Highlights

UPLAND, Ind. – Meskerem James scored a pair off the bench, while Libby Thomas dished out three assists in an electric Homecoming night victory for the Trojans inside Turner Stadium.

Taylor (6-3-2, 3-1-0 CL) beat Mount Vernon Nazarene 4-1 in a critical Crossroads League, with two goals in the second half helping Taylor pull away from the Cougars.

The match was even throughout the first half, and TU got on the board first, with Thomas making a run through the midfield before passing to Audrey Grimm, who took a touch before firing into the back of the net for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.

MVNU (5-4-2, 0-2-2 CL) leveled the match in the 33rd minute, scoring a penalty after a scramble in the box led to a handball.

It looked destined to be level going into the break, but Thomas was undeterred and made a run inside the box to the baseline before squaring the ball to James, who easily slotted home into an empty net for the 2-1 lead.

The Cougars came out firing to begin the second half and applied ample pressure as they tried to bring the match level again.

Super-sub Sydney Reddy calmed the nerves around Turner Stadium with an outstanding run from 40 yards out, holding off a defender before cutting into the middle and firing the ball past the MVNU keeper for a two-goal cushion.

TU capped the scoring in the 77th minute, as Thomas continued to flash her blazing speed to cruise past a multitude of defenders before again finding James in the middle of the box, who took a touch and then fired past the goalie into the back of the net for her second of the night and third of the season.

A relatively even match tilted in the Trojans' favor, as seen by a 15 to seven shot disparity and six corners compared to four for the visitors.

Taylor has a week before its next Crossroads League matchup against Huntington (5-3-4, 0-2-2 CL) on Saturday, October 12, on the road, with kick-off set for 1:30 pm.