Soccer brings home apoint against ULM

Troy soccer earned a point and extended its unbeaten streak to four after a 1-1 draw against ULM on Saturday.

During the game, first-year Aiden Bailey opened the score sheet in the 16th minute with her first goal of the season. ULM put up 14 shots, but Taylor Richards contributed six saves during the match.

"Monroe came out really strong, and they pressed us well," said head coach Jake Wyman. "We had to work through that and weather that storm, but then, I thought as the second half went on, we were able to kind of grow into it and gave ourselves a few chances, a few set pieces, a few opportunities to score the game winner just never came.

Troy came out with its first chance in the fourth minute. Alaina Uncapher fired one of her four shots during the match, but the ball went up and over the net. Troy continued its press, and in the 16th minute, a scramble off a corner found Bailey, where she ripped it into the back of the net with her left foot.

"I think it's definitely been difficult, since I came in as a six, then an eighth, then a 10 and now I'm on the center back, but somehow, I'm finding chances and creating goal opportunities for my team," Bailey said. "It's been really cool to see how I can contribute in different ways."

Possession went back and forth during the first half, but ULM picked it up, forcing Troy’s defense to make some crucial plays. Madisyn Machesi played a key role in making some crucial clearances while leading the back line.

ULM’s pressure kept building, though, and in the 44th minute, the Warhawks equalized off a rebound. The game continued into the second half with Troy’s defense making more crucial stops in the second half. After 45 minutes, neither team could bring the winning goal, leaving the match tied 1-1.

"I think a little frustrating from a performance standpoint,” Wyman said. “I know we didn't play as well as we could have, but I think it's a sign of a good team when you don't play well and you find a way to give yourself a point against the defending league champions."

The Trojans are now 2-3-2 this season, tied alongside Coastal Carolina for eighth place in the SBC standings. The Trojans will travel to play Georgia Southern, who currently sits at third in the standings, at 4 p.m. in Statesboro, Georgia on Thursday.