SAN ANTONIO – The Tigers played in the first round of the NCAA Tournament today, where they swiftly defeated Hardin-Simmons University in a 2-0 win and secured their spot in the Round of 32. With the pressure of win-or-go-home stakes and the intensity of the Texas heat, Trinity rose to the occasion with confidence and precision.

The Rundown 
The Tigers took the field at 11:00 AM knowing exactly what was at stake. The sun was out in full force, adding another layer of difficulty to an already high-pressure match. But from the moment the whistle blew, Trinity showed no hesitation. Their energy, movement, and communication were sharp, and they immediately took control of the game's rhythm. Within the opening minutes of the match, Trinity immediately seized control, maintaining firm possession and pushing the tempo. Within the first four minutes of the match, the Tigers had already created multiple dangerous scoring opportunities. Only 4 minutes and 41 seconds into the game, forward Lila Brackin (Dallas, Texas / Lake Highlands) received a ball from defender Kayla Boven (Katy, Texas / Tompkins). Brackin beat her defender to send a cross from the endline, where fellow forward Alex Doran (Boerne, Texas / Geneva School of Boerne) was there to finish it. Doran knocked the ball into the back of the net on her first touch, moving the ball across her body to find the back post, making the match 1-0. It was an emphatic statement: Trinity was in control, and the Cowgirls were in for a long match. The Tigers' defense matched the intensity of the attack, standing firm like a brick wall and denying the Cowgirls any meaningful looks throughout the first half.

Heading into the second half, the Tigers emerged sharp and composed, fully aware of the energy and urgency the Cowgirls would bring. As the minutes ticked by, that urgency turned into visible frustration for the Cowgirls, who still couldn't break through a Trinity back line anchored by an impenetrable defense and steady goalkeeping from Lauren Little (Houston, Texas / Episcopal). In the 69th minute of the match, midfielder Clara Richards (Buffalo, N.Y. / Williamsville South) found a through ball to forward Anna Newland (Kirkwood, Mo. / Kirkwood). Newland effectively beat her player to take the ball endline, delivering a perfectly paced ball into the box. Newland's brilliant navigation of the ball put it right at the feet of forward Hanna Khan (Southlake, Texas / Carroll). Khan ran through the ball, with a first touch shot straight into the back of the net. While multiple dangerous opportunities were created, the Tigers did not find the net again. The Tigers had a total of 7 shots on goal compared to the Cowgirls 4. While the Cowgirls put up a fight, in the end, they could not compete with the Trinity Tigers, who had already beaten previously this year in a 2-1 win.  The Tigers will now be headed to the Round of 32 tomorrow, where they will fight for another day.

Up Next
The Tigers will be facing California Lutheran University on Saturday, Nov. 16th, at 1:00 PM.