Not since 2016 have the Trinity Shamrocks won a District 3 Class 2A soccer title in a division that they dominated for multiple years back in that time period. But the ’Rocks were back as they took on two-time defending champion Wyomissing in the District 3 final at Mountain View Stadium Tanner Field, Mechanicsburg, on a very balmy late afternoon on November 5.
Trinity had only given up six goals all season, while Wyomissing tallied more than five goals on multiple games throughout the fall. Something had to give, and what gave was Trinity’s interior defense against a very good Spartan team that only lost once all season. Wyomissing scored in the game’s 11th minute and added an insurance goal early in the second half to seal the victory to capture their third straight championship, 2-0.
Size was a factor that Trinity had a difficult time controlling on goal kicks the entire game. The Spartans were able to head the ball into an attack mode where they were often able to get the ball wide on Trinity.
“It is one thing to see size on film, it is another to actually play against it in a game,” head coach Terry Mull said after the game.”
Not only was Wyomissing big, they played physical as well, which gave them an advantage on 50-50 balls. Despite that, the ’Rocks had several scoring chances late which might have pressured Wyomissing into playing tighter on the ball, but never could Trinity finish off a corner or good centering ball. There was no quit in Trinity and they moved on the PIAA state tournament, where the Spartans again loom in their top half of the draw.
“They played well, we played well….,” Coach Mull said. “They just played a little better than us.”
(Photos by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness
