Trinity Tri Hawks

On Friday the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced the 2015-2016 High School Team Academic Award honorees. The Tri Hawks were one of only two teams in Minnesota to earn this distinction. Well done, ladies!

NSCAA announces 2015-2016 High School Team Academic Award Winners

For the third straight game, the Tri Hawks outshot their opponent, but were shutout and dropped the game. This time it was conference rival New Life, who scored twice early and then hung on the rest of the way as Trinity turned the tide but could not find the back of the net.

Sarah Reinhardt worked her tail off, and was named both Angry Bird and Player of the Game. It seemed Sarah was everywhere, working up and down the field, inside and outside. She got stuck in, playing aggressive and physical soccer and getting the ball off her foot smartly to shift the attack.

Some losses hurt more than others. To really dominate a game at your Homecoming and come up on the short end of the score is beyond frustrating. The Tri Hawks outshot Bloomington Kennedy in both quantity and quality, creating numerous chances (including being alone with the keeper several times and even a penalty kick) while holding Kennedy’s dangerous threats to just one breakaway (with Anna Mayer coming up big to stop) and yet fell 1-0…their first home loss of the season.

Games like this, games that mean a lot and you feel like you should have won, are hard to bounce back from. It will provide a meaningful test of the players’ character, and the team’s “ohana.”

Clare Marie Patros was the Angry Bird, battling Kennedy’s senior captain on the left flank, limiting her to just two shots all day while pumping up the team with her trademark cheer. Player of the Game honors went to Sam Robbins, who repeatedly carried the ball at the Kennedy goal from the left side and created many of the Tri Hawk’s most menacing scoring opportunities. It is good to have her back playing significant minutes.

Soccer can be a cruel game. Trinity went into conference-leading Heritage Christian with the regular season title up for grabs, but came home on the wrong end of a fast and furious 2-0 final score. It was not for lack of trying or quality play, as each team managed about a half dozen shots on net, including 2-3 really great chances apiece. But where the ball bounced Heritage’s way twice (including on the penalty kick that now seems to be a regular feature of their home games) it found posts and crossbars for the Tri Hawks.

AnneMarie Bittner was named Angry Bird for the game. AnneMarie has been tossed the keys to the defense with senior captain Laura Mayer out with injury for the past two weeks, and has been stellar game in and game out. Player of the Game honors went to Rebekah Bittner. Bekah played hard, smart, team soccer, finding a nice balance between individual aggressiveness and involving her teammates in the play. She created dangerous chances, and snuffed out Heritage attacks playing on the wing and logging substantial minutes in the middle.

St. Croix Prep made their first visit to Trinity as a newly minted MCAA Conference foe, and the Tri Hawks spent the first 38 minutes making them feel welcome by playing down to their level. In the closing Big 5, Liz saved the team from entering halftime with a disappointing tie by slotting home a great ball from AnneMarie with just 2 minutes on the clock. The Tri Hawks played much better soccer in the second half, with goals from Anna Frenz and Grace extending the lead before Liz finished the scoring she had started and sealing a 4-0 home win.

Angry Bird Maria Kisch, in only her second action since late August, was remarkably effective despite playing with pain and a giant knee brace. She found beautiful passes to spring dangerous attacks. Catherine Putzier took home her second Player of the Game honor of the season. With Maria Kisch hobbled and Monica completely out this game, Catherine has been the steady and dependable presence in the middle of the pitch, the one who holds the team together and provides both offensive spark and stalwart defense.