Trinity Tri Hawks

The MCAA Tournament 3rd Place Game featured a rematch of the Trinity-Maranatha from late September that is now simply referred to a “The Comeback.” Maranatha entered without their all-star forward, but the Tri Hawks found themselves without Maria Kisch after her arm was injured late in the Heritage game. The Mustangs struck first, with Samantha Robbins equalizing just minutes later. The score would stay at 1-1 through regulation and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th two and half minute overtime halves (long story.) So it was that Trinity, after practicing for 8 years for a shootout, finally found themselves in one. It wasn’t even close. The first four Tri Hawks all converted (Liz Olson, Laura Mayer, Catherine Putzier, AnneMarie Bittner) while Bekah Bittner saved 2 of the 4 Maranatha shots. Trinity took home the 3rd Place trophy that had eluded them the year before.

Anna Mayer took home her second Player of the Game nod. She made every save she should have, and several she should not have. There never would have been a shootout had not Anna had a monster day in goal. Samantha Robbins terrorized Maranatha up and down the left flank including the game-tying equalizer en route to her second Angry Bird nod.

Trinity traveled to Heritage for the MCAA Tournament semifinals hoping to avenge their lone shutout of the year. The game was fast and physical, but after a PK pushed the Eagles’ lead to 3-1 looked to be slipping away. The Tri Hawks don’t quit, finding their second goal with just 3 minutes to play. The final minutes of the game were a furious scramble, with Trinity doing everything but putting the ball in the back of the Heritage net.

AnneMarie Bittner was named Player of the Game. AnneMarie stepped up big time in the middle, playing smart possession soccer and netting the first Trinity goal. Audrey Zuelke earned the Angry Bird nod. Audrey has developed into a fast and physical marking back who does not give up on the ball and is hard to beat for long.

Visitation has always been a tough game for Trinity, and this year was no different. The #3 ranked Blazers took it to Trinity for 4 quick goals in the first 13 minutes of play. From that point on, the Tri Hawks adjusted to the speed of play and earned a 1-1 tie for the remaining 67 minutes, but the damage was already done.

The game’s Angry Bird went to Catherine Putzier, who battled a talented Vis midfield all game long and tallied the lone Trinity goal. Player of the Game honors went to Bekah Bittner, who gave Vis all they could handle (and more!) to contain her work down the right flank.

Trinity faced off with #9 Minnehaha Academy already hobbled without starting keeper Anna Mayer, but went from bad to worse when Liz Olson and Sophie Clark were both knocked out of the game within minutes of each other by hard shots to the head. With three players stuck on the bench, the Tri Hawks finished the first half and played the entire second half without subs and briefly short-handed when players on the field needed to come off for treatment. Still, they held, adjusted, and played with Minnehaha and were tied 2-2 with just 20 minutes to play before two late goals for the Red Hawks and a fruitless Tri Hawk goal line scramble pushed the final score to 4-2. Trinity became the first team all season to score two goals on the Minnehaha keeper, an All State candidate who plays summer soccer in the Elite Clubs National League.

It is hard to imagine where the defense, and the team would be without the steady leadership, courage, and talents of Laura Mayer. As she has all season, she rose to the challenge and gave everything she had for the team. Whether it is the worst team in the conference or one of the best teams in the state, Laura leaves it on the field, and that’s why she was Player of the Game. Maria Kisch was flattened repeatedly by bigger, stronger opponents, but bounced back up every time and came right back at them. At times, you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching Monday Night Football rather than Monday afternoon soccer, the way Maria was banging around out there! As Angry Bird, her theme song was unmistakeable…

Trinity entered their final regular-season conference game with a chance to clinch 3rd place, and with a 4-0 win over Bethany did just that. This marks the 7th straight year finishing in the MCAA top three, the longest active streak in the conference. The team jumped out early on a Liz Olson goal, and then worked hard to earn Catherine Putzier, AnneMarie Bittner and Clare Marie Patros their first goals of the year.

Sarah Reinhardt walked off with the Player of the Game nod. Coming in with a banged up knee and expected to play little, Sarah toughed it out and was a rock up and down the flanks, marking and providing width and swinging in crosses with strength, intelligence and touch. Ellie Maunu earned the Angry Bird; Ellie’s strength and aggressiveness on the ball are now consistent and dependable and crucial to getting the ball into scoring positions.