Men's Soccer

November 1, 2009

Trinity Clinches SCAC Title With Win Over Sewanee

Sewanee, Tennessee - Three Trinity players scored two goals each as the Tigers clinched their 13th Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship with an 8-0 shutout of Sewanee: The University of the South Tigers Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers (13-1-2, 8-0-0 SCAC), ranked No. 6 in the nation, will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, which begin Nov. 12. The NCAA Final Four will be held Dec. 4-5 at San Antonio’s Blossom Soccer Stadium.

Trinity, ranked No. 1 in the West Region, registered its 11th shutout, and the highest scoring total of the season.  The Tigers have now won eight consecutive conference titles with today's win.

The opening score, in the ninth minute, was by senior forward Ben Grossman, who scored his team-leading 11th goal of the year. He also chalked up his fifth game-winner of the season. First-year forward Alan Castillejos provided his fourth assist of the campaign. Junior midfielder Tommy Barros gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead with an unassisted goal in the 17th minute.

From Barros’ scoring play, the double goals were the order of the day. Sophomore midfielder Clay Middleton gave Trinity a 3-0 halftime lead, and scored another solo goal late in the second half.

Aaron Olson, a sophomore midfielder, scored back-to-back goals, within a three-minute time period. Olson’s second goal was assisted by sophomore midfielder Nima Naderi, amassing his Trinity-best seventh assist. Sophomore forward Peter Philpott put two through the net, also within a three-minute time span.

The Tigers led Sewanee 16-4 in shots, and 14-2 in shots on goal. Trinity held a 2-0 edge in corner kicks.

Trinity closes out its regular season with two SCAC home games during Alumni Weekend. The Tigers will host Rhodes at 6 p.m. Friday, and Hendrix next Sunday at noon.

Clay Middleton was the first of three Tiger players to score two goals on Sunday, leading the team to its highest scoring total of the year

Aaron Olson scored back-to-back goals in the second half

Peter Philpott also had a pair of goals in a span of three minutes