Box Score NASHVILLE — It took nearly the full 90 minutes on Wednesday afternoon, but history was made at the Trevecca soccer pitch. The Trevecca Nazarene University women's soccer team hosted the No. 9 Lee University Flames - a team they had only tied once in 10 meetings dating back to the TNU program's inaugural season in 2000 - and entering the final minute, the Trojans were on the precipice of an unlikely nil-nil draw.That's when
Kate Purvis found a lightning bolt.
The junior from Colorado Springs Colorado rose up in the Flames' penalty area to get a head on a free kick from Cristina Escudero, and she knotted it home to give Trevecca (4-3-1, 2-2-0 GSC) the improbable 1-0 win at home over the Flames (5-1-1, 3-1-0 GSC) who were tabbed as the preseason favorites to win the Gulf South Conference.
THE SERIES
The Flames are one of the oldest rivals the Trojans have on the pitch - with their first ever meeting coming in just the third match in Trevecca program history back on September 5, 2000. The Flames won the first eight meetings in the series as they had one of the strongest programs in the NAIA that included four straight NAIA National Championships. It was not until October 11, 2024 that the Trojans managed to get a point from Lee, as that day Trevecca earned a 1-1 draw. Wednesday's win does that one better as it marks the first ever win for Trevecca over Lee in women's soccer. The all-time series now favors Lee 9-1-1.
THE MATCH
Trevecca posted two of the first three shots in the match, as Elsa Bengtsson and Anny Mitra missed the target in the opening 10 minutes, but it took Trevecca more than a quarter-hour to find their next opportunity. Lee kept possession and threatened, but the Trojans limited Lee to only one shot on the target - a try from Megan Davis at the end of the 15th minute that was answered by TNU goalkeeper Penelope Charroin. Tatum Mendel fired a shot on target for the Trojans in the 24th minute that was saved by Lee's Abby Whitcomb, but at the half, Lee held the shot advantage 7-3. Despite that edge, a trio of Charroin saves sent the match into the break still deadlocked and goalless.
Kaylee Maners tested Whitcomb in the 51st minute, but the Lee keeper was equal to the task, and Lee again took control of the match. The Flames recorded the next eight shots - four of them on frame, but they were unable to break through. Charroin made an eighth save in the 89th minute when she turned aside a chance from Emma Nelson, and the Trojans got one more chance.
Seconds after Charroin's last save, the Trojans rushed the ball up the right wing side. Bengtsson forced the issue and turned a pass back to Taylor Linnenbringer who was fouled from behind just outside of the penalty area on the right side, approximately 25 yards from the goal. Escudero stepped up to take the free kick with 45 seconds to play, and she served an arcing ball with her right foot across to the back post where Purvis was waiting. Purvis launched into the air and headed the ball down and underneath Whitcomb to put it in and give the Trojans the match's lone goal, and the 1-0 win.
GOALKEEPERS:
Lee - Abby Whitcomb (L, 5-1-1) - 90 Minutes Played, 1 GA, 3 SV
SCORING:
UP NEXT
Trevecca will get back on the road on Saturday, September 26, when they head down I-40 to Memphis, Tennessee. There, at 4 p.m., the Trojans will battle the Christian Brothers University Buccaneers (1-6-1, 0-3-1 GSC).
MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS
Trojan Sideline Store
Watch Trojans Live on FloCollege
Follow the Trojans on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Sign up for the Free Trevecca Athletics Newsletter
#PurpleReigns | #DefendTheHill
