Trinity had plenty of time to reminisce on their season-ending loss in 2023, a game in which they probably could have won if there was a few more minutes on the clock.

The Cougars had to wait 363 days, 8,712 hours or 522,720 minutes to get another shot at Henryville, this time in the regular season for a match on Monday night.

The team didn’t waste much time bombarding Henryville with offense, dominating the Hornets 6-1.

Trinity head coach Nathan Pyle mentioned that the boys had been waiting for this game all season.

“I think these boys have been ready for this rematch since last season,” Pyle said. “They are the team that knocked us out in sectionals in a close game. They were just clicking on all cylinders tonight. They came to the field pumped up and had great energy throughout.”

John Harris scored to begin the game in the 15th minute off an assist from Alex Damon.

Kade Gillaspy would add to the lead in the 24th minute. Henryville scored in the 29th minute, before Alex Overgaard scored in the 37th minute, putting Trinity up 3-1 heading into intermission.

Damon then got in on the scoring action, striking twice for the Cougars in the 46th and 48th minute. Ezra VanCuren had a super busy evening in goal for Trinity, recording 14 saves for the team.

The junior even added a goal on a penalty kick in the final minutes, ending the game in a 6-1 win.

VanCuren spoke on the performance, after missing some time this season due to injury.

“Individually, I want to give all my glory to god, without him I wouldn’t be here,” VanCuren said. “I hurt my hand earlier this season and I was out for a while, it lit a flame in me to come out here and prove that the position is mine. It was a good performance and win for us.”

Gillaspy is excited that it’s all coming together for the team at the end of the regular season.

“As a team we did good all together, getting plenty of shots off when we could,” Gillaspy said. “That’s something we’ve really struggled with as a team all year and it’s finally coming together at the end.”

Defensively, limiting Henryville to one goal is a good sign for the Cougars. The only team who has done that is the only other team to beat the Hornets, which was the Christian Academy of Indiana, who defeated Henryville in their last game 3-1.

Coach Pyle could not have been prouder of his defensive line.

“We have a very young defensive line,” Pyle said. “Tonight, they held one of the higher scoring teams we will probably face all season to just one goal. I can’t say enough about the work they’ve put in to learn their positions and trying to become leaders at such a young age.”

Henryville had scored 57 goals coming into the match, which was the most by any team Trinity had faced this season. Both Trinity players spoke about playing with the current team and their teammates.

“It’s a really good and positive environment out here,” VanCuren said. “We are just like one big family, and we all look out for each other and would do anything for each other. So, I really appreciate that from the team.”

Gillaspy said it would be hard to find a better group of teammates.

“They’re just awesome overall,” he said. “You can’t find a better group of boys than you can here.”

Gillaspy leads the team with 16 goals this season, followed by Damon’s 11. John Harris has 6 for Trinity. Damon leads the team in assists (10), while Harris has 5 for the Cougars. Both athletes had the same idea when it came to improvement before the beginning of the 2024 postseason.

“Communication, we had a few errors tonight with communicating,” VanCuren said. “It’s just simple things like talking during balls that would have helped us in some situations.”

More practice and more reps will also help according to the senior.

“Like Ezra said a lot of communication will be key,” Gillaspy said. “Just working on more passing and getting more shots off.”

Trinity competes in Class 1A Sectional 43 at Southwestern (Shelbyville) in the fourth match, which is expected to take place next Wednesday on Oct. 9th.

The Cougars will face Southwestern (Hanover), who sits at 7-6-1 on the season, while Trinity Lutheran is 6-7-1.

Trinity Lutheran 6, Henryville 1

Trinity Goals: Alex Damon (2); Alex Overgaard, Kade Gillaspy, John Harris, Ezra VanCuren.

Assists: John Harris, Alex Damon.

Saves: Ezra VanCuren, 14.