Trojans Push #RV Madonna to the Brink in Scrappy 2-1 Battle

UPLAND, Ind. – Tadé Adeyemi's second-half equalizer wasn't enough of a spark for the Taylor University men's soccer team, as the Trojans fell 2-1 to #RV Madonna inside Turner Stadium Saturday afternoon.

TU (2-1-0) suffered its first defeat of the season following the gritty matchup, which featured eight yellow cards and pair of reds dealt just before halftime.

The Trojans outshot the Crusaders 17-11 overall in the match, with a slight 7-6 advantage in shots on frame led by a pair each from Adeyemi and Noel Calix.

Adeyemi's goal leveled the score less than 10 minutes into the second period, but the visitors countered back just three minutes after that with the game-winning strike by Jonas Hoerner.

For Adeyemi, it marked his second goal while running his season points total to five. Levi Kelly logged his second assist to Adeyemi in as many games, while Calix also helped set up the scoring play with his first career assist.

TU mounted a late surge, including a decent look for Brock Carpenter in the 68th minute and pressure created by a barrage of attempts over the final 10 minutes of action. Giulio Mapessa's header was another close attempt in the 89th minute.

The Crusaders (3-0-0) opened the scoring in just the third minute of action when a hopeful free kick from distance somehow threaded through a scrum in front of the net, with the ball bouncing helplessly just far enough past the posts.

It was the first goal surrendered this season by the Trojans after registering a pair of shutouts.

TU goalkeeper Connor Shaw tallied a season-high four saves, matching his total against Madonna last season which ended in a scoreless draw.

The Trojans will return to action next Wednesday, Sept. 3, when they travel to IU-Northwest for a non-conference matchup.