Trojans drop conference opener to Texas State at home

The Troy soccer team was unable to overcome a first half one-goal deficit at home falling in the Sun Belt opener to Texas State 2-1 this afternoon.

A Sunday match that began with the Bobcats and Trojans both scoring respective goals in the 4th minute turned into a defensive struggle full of thwarted scoring chances for both sides till the end.

“It was just kind of mass chaos at the beginning,” Troy head coach Chris Bentley said.

Troy’s lone goal in the first half was when senior forward Cecilia Thorngren found the net assisted by Maddie Tieken.

Texas State scored its second goal of the game in the 17th minute that in the end would earn the Bobcats the 2-1 victory.

“I think that they were able to finish a couple of chances that put the game away,” Bentley said of Texas State. “But honestly I think we made a lot of mistakes that changed the game for us.”

One change that the Troy coaching staff made during halftime was to switch goaltender Caitlin Buono, who had allowed two goals and made five saves through 45 minutes of play, for Madison Winter.

Winter made five saves for the Trojans in the scoreless second half for both teams.

Bentley said that he just felt like Winter would be able to better clean up some of the shots that Texas State was getting on goal during the game.

“I thought Madison dealt with them well,” Bentley said.

In the end Troy just wasn’t able to capitalize on some opportunities with Jasmine Fahrnbauer, Necee Jennnings, Abby Reynolds and Tieken each having shots on goal.

“Well you know you have got to finish your chances,” Bentley said. “Honestly as a team as a whole and the way we played today it wasn’t our best. Maybe it was the day off Friday, I don’t know.”

The Trojans (4-7-0) look to win their first conference match of the season on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. when they play host to Arkansas State.

For a preview of the Arkansas State match pick up a copy of the Tropolitan this Thursday on campus