FAIRMONT – The Trinity Christian High School soccer team saw its 2024 campaign come to a close on Thursday night against East Fairmont in the Region I championship at East-West Stadium in Fairmont.
The Bees (16-2-5) defeated the Warriors 2-0, with senior striker Braydon Christopher scoring both goals in the second half.
The Warriors end their season 10-10-1 after reaching the final eight of Class AA/A boys soccer.
“I’m so proud of this group for coming out on the field every single day and giving everything they had,” TCS head coach Dan Lohmann said. “We had to change our strategy a bit coming into the game tonight as we were down one of our best defenders. With them being out unexpectedly, we had to compensate a little because we were missing one of our better defenders. We held tough there for a while, but they scored two excellent goals in the second half.”
The first goal for the Bees came six minutes into the second half as East Fairmont worked the ball well down the right wing before sending a cross into the 18-yard box that was placed perfectly. Christopher rose to meet it with his head and placed the ball into the far corner of the Trinity Christian net to open the scoring.
“We knew we would have to pack our defense in a bit and try to frustrate them (East Fairmont),” Lohmann said. “And that worked for us in the first half. They just broke through with some great plays and caught us off guard and that’s what wins games for teams when it comes to playoff soccer. One moment can change the entire story of a game.”
The Warriors responded positively to conceding the go-ahead goal throughout the next 20 minutes of the half, keeping the Bees out of dangerous areas and from adding a second goal. Junior goalkeeper Parker Hopkins single-handedly prevented the Bees from extending their lead not only in the second half but throughout the contest, making save after acrobatic save as the hosts peppered his net.
“Parker has kept us in so many games this year and given us chances to win nearly every night,” Lohmann said of his junior shot-stopper. “When one of your difference-makers on your team is between the posts, that has a massive impact on the rest of the team and how well we perform.”
Despite the result on Thursday, the Trinity Christian Warriors can hold their heads high after a solid 2024 season, one that came with its fair share of adversity, with injuries and unexpected schedule changes popping up often.
“One thing that never changes about this team is the effort and heart that they show every single night,” Lohmann said. “They play for each other and love each other, and that’s what a team needs to have to come out and be successful in soccer. We’ve had a lot of close results throughout the year, 1-0, 2-1, those kinds of games, and that wouldn’t happen without our players coming together and trusting each other.”
