First XI Soccer Win State Soccer Title

Trinity College’s First XI soccer team are state Division 2 Champions after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Marryatville High School. 

A second half strike from Sandesh Basnet (Year 11) was enough to seal the victory and a terrific season for the team.

The final was a war of attrition after Trinity was forced to play all the way to the end in the semi-final earlier in the day against Adelaide Botanic High School.  In the other final, Marryatville High School easily accounted for Tenison Woods Catholic School, and were able to rest key players. 

In warm, challenging conditions in the final, energy was at a premium.  Trinity’s forwards created several excellent chances, only to be denied by posts or desperate defending. As Trinity began to tire in the second half, cramping became a real issue and both teams looked to be running on fumes.

Then, at the halfway mark in the second half, Jack Kellett (Year 10) hit Basnet in space, and with defence closing, Basnet slotted one through on a tight angle for the eventual winner.

Congratulations to the team on an undefeated season in the SAAS Div 2 competition, and the eventual State Div 2 Championship.

Special note should be made of the leadership within the group, and the energy and passion with which they represented the College. After a disappointing 2025 that saw the group hit rock bottom, this year’s team has re-established Trinity’s First XI culture and set up the program for further success in the future.

With the Soccer Academy starting in 2027, we look forward to seeing what this program can achieve.

Source: Rupert Sapwell, Director of Sport