Zaino Leads Taylor Past IWU to Crossroads Semifinals
MARION, Ind. – The sixth-seeded TU women’s soccer team knocked off third-seeded Indiana Wesleyan in the Crossroads League Tournament Quarterfinals, 2-0, at IWU on Wednesday night, behind Nikki Zaino’s pair of second-half goals.
Zaino netted the game-winner in the 64th minute from just outside the box, slotting the ball under the crossbar for a 1-0 Trojan lead.
The senior forward gave TU an insurance goal in the 76th minute, delivering the shot into the upper 90, and Taylor’s defense preserved the win by blanking the Wildcats.
The Trojans doubled up the hosts in the shots column, 22-11, for the contest and held a commanding 16-4 advantage in shots on goal.
Lauren Engelkes pitched a four-save shutout in the net for the victorious Purple and Gold, her fourth of the season.
With the win, Taylor (12-6-1, 4-4-1 CL) advances to face second-seeded and 14th-ranked Marian (14-2-3, 6-0-3 CL) at 7:00 pm on Saturday at Marian. TU dropped to then-No. 15 Marian on the road, 3-1, on October 14 in the two squads’ lone regular season meeting.
