Men's Soccer

November 23, 2007

Tigers Blank Defending Champs Messiah in Semifinals

Lake Buena Vista, Florida - Trinity's men's soccer team defeated defending champions Messiah (PA) College 1-0 in the NCAA Semifinals on Friday evening at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.

Trinity (23-0) advances to just its second title match in school history, having won the NCAA Division III Championship in 2003.  Messiah came in as the three-time defending champion (2004-06), as well as winning five times in the past seven years.

The Tigers were locked in a scoreless tie at the half, but seemed to be in control of the match.  Trinity out-shot Messiah 12-9 and held a 7-2 edge in corner kicks through the first 45 minutes. 

Trinity started the second half with a bang, as Patrick Floeck (pictured at right) knocked in a goal just 15 seconds into the second period.  It was the 19th goal of the season for Floeck, including his team-best sixth game-winner.  The goal was assisted by Ben Stewart, which gives him 16 for the season and 37 for his career.  One more assist would tie both the single season and career record for assists at Trinity.

“All season we’ve focused on going forward, putting pressure right off the bat,” Floeck described.  “I tried to strike it well and put it on target, and it went well...I couldn’t believe it.”

Messiah put even more pressure on the Tigers after that goal, putting together numerous scoring chances in the final period.  Trinity goalkeeper David Steinberg was up to the challenge, though, playing possibly the best game in his four-year career. 

Steinberg recorded 11 saves overall - including 10 in the second half.  He also thwarted numerous dangerous crosses and corner kicks in front of the net to keep Messiah off the board.  His 11 stops were the most for a Tiger goalkeeper since Bill Sillman recorded 12 saves against Emory in 1995. 

The shutout is the 13th of the season for the Tigers, as well as the fifth full shutout of the year for Steinberg.  Head Coach Paul McGinlay had the highest praise for his keeper

“We knew we would have to defend,” explained Trinity Head Coach Paul McGinlay.  “We were under the gun...(Steinberg) is a great athlete, and he put in a great performance, his penultimate soccer performance here at Trinity.”

Trinity will face either Middlebury or Loras in tomorrow's championship game, which will also be in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.  The Tigers have been in the semifinals three times, with the first being in 2002.