A win over Butler (7-4-2, 5-2-1 GWOC) next Tuesday clinches the division title.
“It comes down to Butler, which is another rival, too,” Tipp coach Scott Downing said.
“We’re focusing on making sure we play an entire game. All it takes is one person to not mark up and it can cost you. Just trying to prepare them for tournament time.”
The Red Devils scored first against Troy when Zach Bonifas found the net off a pass from Mitch Colvin with about 13 minutes left before intermission.
The Trojans tied it midway through the second half when Alex Bridge put away a corner kick that bounced around in the box a few times.
Troy keeper Troy Breisch preserved the tie with 10 minutes left when he turned away a penalty kick from Bonifas.
“I thought the first half we had several chances we could have put the game away. We missed them,” Downing said. “It’s a rivalry — it’s not a rivalry like we hate each other — so we knew it was going to be close. We had our chances. They had their chances in the end and got it.”
Troy’s goal marked the second time this season Tipp has allowed goals in consecutive games. The Red Devils have allowed nine goals. Nearly half came in a 4-0 loss to Alter on Sept. 29.
Midfielders Wade Timmer, Colvin and Bonifas have been key in helping the Red Devils control play.
“Those guys have been holding their own pretty much all season,” Downing said.
“We’ve definitely got a senior-loaded team. As long as we stay disciplined defensively I think we have a good chance at making a good run in the tournament. It’s definitely going to be tough getting out of the area (in the Division II tournament) with Alter and Carroll. Someone is going to go home early.”
As for Troy, coach Richard Phillips liked how his Trojans responded in the second half against Tipp.
“They dominated that first half on us with possession. They kept the ball away from us and when we tried to win it they’d clear it out of there,” Phillips said. “After halftime we came out and we had a little more energy. We were focused on what we needed to do and we got the tie.”
The Trojans need help from Butler to win a share of their first league title since 2013. But even if that doesn’t happen, the Trojans — who have posted seven shutouts behind Breisch — still have much to play for.
Leading scorer Grant Holland (17 goals), midfielders Collin Hubbell and Peyton Hampton and defenders Reece Sherman and Joey Sheehan have the Trojans thinking about a good run in the D-I tournament.
“They bought into what we were asking them to do,” Phillips said of the team. “It took some time, but they can go out and play with anyone. They’re a hard-working group. They believe in each other. That’s the main thing.”
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