Class 1A No. 10 University started out Sectional 37 play Tuesday night with a 6-1 victory over Tri-Central.
While the Trailblazers dominated the ball for the whole 80 minutes, it took a while for that advantage to show on the score line. University actually trailed early on, when Tri-Central scored on a counterattack over the top, but the Trailblazers were only behind for a little bit, as they answered two minutes later when senior midfielder Lily Snyder struck a goal from outside the box.
University had the territorial advantage throughout the first half, but generated few clear-cut chances. The best opportunity to take the lead before half-time was in the 37th minute, when senior midfielder Lucy Snyder hit the crossbar.
The Trailblazers attacked with purpose in the second half, though, and two minutes in, nearly took the lead when senior forward Halle Von Ah’s shot hit the post. University had a couple other point-blank opportunities early in the half, but couldn’t gain the advantage until Lily Snyder opened the floodgates in the 59th minute, when her second goal put the Trailblazers ahead for the first time.
Tessa Hudson scored from outside the box five minutes later before Von Ah finally got her goal with a cool finish in the 66th minute. University’s scoring flurry continued, though, with Lucy Snyder scoring back-to-back goals in the game’s 69th and 70th minutes, cementing a dominant spell where the Trailblazers went from being tied to ahead by five in just 11 minutes.
The Trailblazers, the defending Sectional 37 champions, return to action Thursday night when they face host Sheridan at 7 p.m.
