Coach Stan Records 250th Career Win on Celebratory Senior Night

UPLAND, Ind. – The No. 25-ranked Taylor Trojans had much to celebrate as it toppled Goshen 6-2 on Senior Night Saturday at Turner Stadium. The win, which marked the 250th of head coach Scott Stan's 24-season collegiate career, pushed TU to the third seed in the Crossroads League Tournament, as it earned the tiebreaker over No. 11 Marian (12-2-3, 5-2-2) due to goal differential. The six goals scored Saturday night were the most for the Trojans all season.

TU (10-3-4, 5-2-2 CL) got off to a strong start in the match, but it was the Maple Leafs with the best chance to strike first 10 minutes into the game with a clear shot from about 20 yards out. Hannah Brackenbury made a highlight save however, going full-extension to keep the match scoreless. The senior added another fantastic save of a similar variety in the 31st minute, part of six saves she made on the night against no goals allowed.

The Trojans began their first-half scoring festival in the 12th minute on a goal from Lauren Collins, whose shot was set up on the right side by Audrey Grimm. Five minutes later, Grimm added a goal of her own to push the TU lead to 2-0. Claire Massey, who was aggressive all night long on both ends of the pitch, earned the assist on Grimm's goal.

After fending off a small flurry of chances by Goshen around 30 minutes into the contest, Taylor struck again with a goal from roughly 30 yards out by Leah McQuade, assisted by Sarah Mullins. Like Grimm, Mullins piggy-backed off her assist with her own score just before halftime to make it 4-0. The junior landed her 25-yard shot in the top right corner of the net off a pass from Eliza Luttrell.

TU came out of the halftime break, during which Taylor's five seniors consisting of Brackenbury, Emma Goebel, Massey, Monberg and Chloe Sena were honored in a short ceremony, with Brianna Rawlings in net for Brackenbury with the four-goal lead in hand. This lead was expanded upon when Grimm recorded her second goal and fifth point of the match with a tap-in right by the goal line. McQuade earned the assist to tally her third point of the night 

Goshen was able to quickly sandwich an impressive long-range Trojan goal by Sydney Thompson in the 71st minute with two goals of their own, but the game was easily controlled by TU as it held on for the 6-2 win.

Taylor took 36 shots (15 on goal) as the fourth-leading team in the NAIA in shots per game produced yet another dominant offensive showing. The two goals by Grimm and one from McQuade brought their totals to eight on the season, tied with Sena for the team lead.

The Trojans' 2023-24 graduating group of five seasons has appeared in nearly 300 games combined, while it won its 41st game together. Of Stan's 250 wins, 169 have come as the head man for the Trojans. He now holds a 250-157-43 coaching record, good for a .603 winning percentage.

No. 25 Taylor opens the CL Tournament in the quarterfinals round on Saturday, Nov. 4 against Bethel (8-7-1, 4-5-0 CL) at 7 p.m. at Turner Stadium.