Trinity Tri Hawks

The Tri Hawks shed their finishing woes in a big way, en route to a 6-2 thrashing of conference foe PACT. Bekah Bittner tallied twice, with Sam Robbins, Liz Olson, Ellie Maunu and Laura Mayer each adding one. The Panthers played a very high holding line, an invitation Trinity pounced on to break through over and over to get into dangerous scoring positions. The win moves the Tri Hawks to 1-1 in conference play, and is their first victory of the season.

Bekah Bittner, now back from an injury the sidelined her for the first four games, took home Player of the Game honors. She was a constant threat down the wing, swinging in great crosses in addition to her two fine finishes. The Angry Bird award went to Sarah Reinhardt, who was a workhorse up and down flanks, playing tireless end to end soccer.

The Tri Hawks first-ever trip to Cristo Rey did not yield a win, but did see the team take another step towards playing beautiful soccer. The Pumas, a team that plays together year round under their coach, were organized and had some great talents on offense. The Trinity back four, including Anna Mayer, Laura Mayer, Audrey Zuelke and Clare Marie Patros (in her first defensive action), handled that attack well most of the game, surrounding one great goal in the first half, and a second off a post-corner kick scramble in the second. But the Trinity offense remains a work in progress, mustering only a brilliant goal by Catherine Putzier off an Anna Frenz support pass.

Audrey Zuelke walked off with Player of the Game honors. In perhaps her finest game so far, she snuffed out any attack down the Tri Hawks right flank, playing all 80 minutes against some very quick forwards. Sophie Clark was the game’s Angry Bird. Sophie worked hard to challenge and get physical on any ball within her reach.

Another tough outing for the Tri Hawks, as they fell to conference rival Heritage Christian 2-0. The offense is starting to click, producing several good scoring chances, but the final touch to put the ball away is not there. Trinity was able to string together some nice sequences, maintaining possession and moving the ball effectively, but also allowed Heritage to get into the offensive third too easily at times.

Anna Mayer earned Player of the Game with her best outing to date. She kept the game close with multiple outstanding saves and was aggressive and authoritative off her line all day. Maria Kisch “left it on the field” en route to capturing Angry Bird, battling all day with a physically and verbally aggressive Heritage midfield.

The Tri Hawks found themselves again shorthanded, and again just short in the game as they fell 1-0 to St. Paul Central, a team that had defeated them easily last season. Even with two guest players from the JV, Trinity opened the second half with just 10 players due to injuries suffered before and during the game, which was a punishing and physical one. The only goal of the game came on a long free kick by Central which dropped out of the sun and just under the crossbar.

Samantha Robbins was named Player of the Game for another sterling defensive effort. Sam’s closing speed is incredible, repeatedly rescuing situations that seem to be hopeless. Anna Mayer had her finest game in goal thus far, coming off her line quickly and aggressively to snuff out scoring chances before a shot could even be taken.

Over the past 8 seasons, the Tri Hawks have had their share of gutsy, courageous efforts. But perhaps none more than Saturday afternoon against St. Paul Highland Park.

Entering the game with 12 players available, and half of those bothered by maladies from shin splints to plantar fasciitis to hip pointers and more, everyone know it was going to be a tough slog on a warm, humid day. For much of the first half Trinity played short-handed, as players came off to grab desperately needed rest and there was no one to go in for them. For a long stretch, the Tri Hawks actually played down two, 9 against 11. But, against all odds, the Tri Hawks entered halftime tied 0-0 with Highland Park, a school with almost as many people in each grade as Trinity has in the whole school.
Highland Park struck first, but Trinity answered on a world class turn by Liz Olson finished by Sarah Reinhardt. They pulled ahead with minutes to play when Laura Mayer overpowered the keeper. But Highland Park equalized with under two minutes on the clock, and the 2-2 score would hold through both overtimes. A tie in the books, but an incredible display of heart by a depleted Tri Hawk squad.

Catherine Putzier took home Player of the Game for her incredible debut at center back in the Tri Hawks brand new system of play. She played every minute, and repeatedly snuffed out dangerous attacks by a talented Highland Park front line. Angry Bird recipient Sam Robbins was a dynamo, appearing out of nowhere to win balls and challenging fearlessly against bigger, stronger players.