Troy fails to add to the win column after a pair of home matches
During Troy soccer’s first two of three matches at the Trojan Soccer Complex, the Trojans failed to scratch a win after drawing against Kennesaw State, 2-2, and losing to West Florida, 3-1. The third match of the homestand will be Sunday, Sept. 13.
Both games came with upsides with Alaina Uncapher who scored two goals throughout both games, including one while being down a woman. Madisyn Marchesi also put up an outstanding performance in both matches, scoring once and clearing multiple goal-scoring opportunities.
Taylor Richards also came up to a few goal line saves as well. Tallying 12 saves from both matches. However, both Kenesaw State and West Florida outshot Troy by six shots, which resulted in the draw and loss, respectively.
During the first match against Kennesaw State, the Trojans would allow the Owls to equalize twice during the match, drawing the game 2-2.
"We had the lead twice and gave the momentum back to [Kennesaw State] late, but we're overall pleased,” said head coach Jake Wyman. “We aren't used to winning games here, so I think there's a lesson to be learned on how to manage a game when you have a lead late.
“It's a process, and we're trying to grow and evolve each game."
The Trojans would strike first after a brilliant cross would find Marchesi at the back of the net. Marchesi would jump and head the ball into the top of the netting to give Troy the lead.
That lead would be short lived, however, when a foul inside the box would be the equalizer the Owls were looking for. Anabel Orozco would shoot left, and even though Richards guessed correctly, she couldn’t stretch far enough to get to the ball.
The half would come to an end shortly after, and once again, Troy would come out hot. After multiple drives down field, a cross from Uncapher would make its way in front of Irene Torres, where she would be fouled inside the box.
After a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, Troy would be awarded a penalty kick, and Uncapher would strike inside to give the Trojans their second lead of the match.
The owls would not be happy though, and after six saves from Richards, the ball would come off a header from Mellisa Mert, and Kennesaw would equalize again. With 12 minutes left, both teams would go back and forth before the final whistle blew.
The Trojans would come back out three days later to try and take down West Florida. Unfortunately, Troy would fall after a red card and an own goal would kill the game, giving West Florida a 3-1 win.
"Tough one today,” Wyman said. “We didn't do ourselves any favors with how we defended.
“To get one back showed good character, but conceding the own goal to make it 3-1 killed us. I thought the girls fought given the fact we were down a man for the majority of the second half, but it's tough."
Compared to last game, Troy lacked pressure during the first half, with West Florida containing and holding possession. The defensive line struggled to hold it down for a while, but Brooke Slater and Marchesi were able to cut down on the Argonauts’ press.
In the 13th minute, West Florida’s Kaitlyn Herb would find a pocket and score the opening goal of the match. Troy would feed off this goal and create multiple chances, with the closest one coming from a header by Sofia Sasan.
Even with Troy’s pressure back on toward West Florida, it would fail to find the net for the rest of the first half.
Similar to the second half, Troy would struggle off the whistle, and the Argonauts would take advantage and double their lead. Troy would, yet again, turn up the pace, but a through ball to West Florida’s left winger would force Slater to contest it. The referee would blow his whistle and book Slater with a red card, forcing the team down a player.
Troy would continue to dig deep in the next 22 minutes, and a golden opportunity would give Troy the goal it needed to stay in the game. After a cross from Brooke Becker, the ball slipped through the goalie’s hands; right in front of Isla Boyle to make it 2-1.
With nine minutes left, Troy would try to equalize, but disaster would strike as a West Florida cross would connect with a Trojan defender and went inside Troy’s net, making it 3-1.
Troy will have its final homestand game against Alcorn State on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. After that, Troy will head back on the road to play in-state rival South Alabama.
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