EC 3 Transy 1

It could be because Transy has dominated the HCAC in recent years, with our shootout win over them in 2011 marking the only time in the last 4 years that they have not made the NCAA's, or because we have a number of players from Lexington who know the Transy guys and no doubt exchange trash talk in the summer, or because we have played them 3 consecutive times away at TU---or could it be something else ?                                                                            

Whatever the reason, the match this year was on everyone's calendar and it did not disappoint. The match began with the two teams even in possession and with few clear cut chances until the 17th minute when we regained possession in the Transy half and the ball came to Tamru Taye on the left. Tamru beat his marker around the corner and played a ball across that went past a number of people in the box until it found Tiqi Brown at the far post. Tiqi volleyed home and we were up one.

The lead didn't last as TU scored a far post header off a corner 8 minutes later and the game returned to the tight, close contest it had been. In the 40th minute, Jacob Ebbs ran a ball toward goal and after disrupting migratory bird flocks with his earlier efforts, hit a 25-yard left foot bomb which the keeper got a hand to but couldn't keep out (Scott Lawrence was lurking for the rebound anyway) and we had a crucial lead again.

The second half saw the pace of the game never slacken and we began to get the upper hand in terms of possession. A header by Tamru forced a great save by the Transy keeper and in the 73rd minute Feli Muyumba recovered a ball on the right side about 40 yards out and proceeded to dribble the Transy defender and the goalkeeper before slotting home an insurance goal. The later stages of the match were well under our control and this sweetest victory was ours. Helps build confidence because Amir Yusuf's absence did not hinder our attack---not that we don't need him.

When Hanover fell at Mount St. Joseph the next night, we are now tied with them at 5-1 behind 5-0-1 Rose Hulman, whom we entertain next Wednesday at EC. First up is a difficult match away at Anderson.