TU Triumphs in OT as Vander Kolk Locks in Career Night
UPLAND, Ind. – After nearly 100 minutes of play, the Trojan men’s soccer team ended the match in dramatic fashion, beating Aquinas in overtime by a score of 2-1. Senior, Clay Vander Kolk, scored both goals for Taylor, the first two of his career.
The first 15 minutes of the match were all Trojans, as the team took three shots while lining up three corners on the side. Third time truly is the charm, as Taylor’s third shot found its way to the back of the net via Vander Kolk’s left foot.
James McBride attacked the left side of the field, beating a Saint defender before sending the ball into the box. Luke Holwerda, while sandwiched between two Saints, executed a no-look flick en route to Vander Kolk, who made one quick move before sneaking the ball into the right pocket of the net. Holwerda’s second assist of the season was a work of art, setting Vander Kolk up for his first career goal.
From that point on, the remainder of the first half was fairly quiet as the two teams combined for a total of three additional shots, none of which landed on frame. TU went into the half up 1-0.
Aquinas opened the final-45 with fury, however, dominating control of the ball which soon culminated in a 1-1 tie. The Saints worked a corner kick that took the shape of a sharp strike to the middle of the box, where an Aquinas defender headed the ball into the net’s left pocket.
The play grew aggressive as the teams duked it out through the final 30 minutes of regulation, and Aquinas managed to take nine additional shots while the Trojans only took three. Both nets stayed clean, though, as the half ended in a 1-1 tie.
Taylor began overtime play with a hunger for the ball, which cultivated two shots prior to the team’s eighth corner kick of the night. Captain, Quinn Partain, lined it up and sent a lefty strike that found its way into the net, only after Vander Kolk performed a bit of magic first. With some sort of sleight of head, the Grand Rapids, Michigan, native sent his hometown team packing with a heart-breaking loss.
Vander Kolk scored the first two goals of his career, earning the senior his first career multi-goal match. Partain picked up his second assist on the season, giving him a team-leading total of eight points.
TU is off to its best start since 2012, when the Trojans began the year 5-1.
Taylor (5-2-0) will be back in action inside Turner Stadium on Saturday, September 25, when the Trojans kick off league play against Mount Vernon Nazarene (4-2-0).
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