Troy soccer battles for a post-season run
The Troy soccer team battled for postseason contention after falling 2-1 against Georgia Southern on Thursday before coming back 2-1 against Arkansas State on Sunday.
Against Georgia Southern, the Trojans found themselves down by two for a majority of the match, and even though Troy forced the deficit to one, the Trojans failed to equalize before the final whistle. Taylor Richards tied her season high save count of nine, with one of her saves being a penalty kick going top left.
"I got the plan all wrong in the first half, and we had to soak up way too much pressure and conceded two penalties during that time," said head coach Jake Wyman. "I thought in the second half we got it right and were the better team.
“I'm proud of the girls' efforts. Unfortunately, I let them down with our tactical setup in the first half."
Georgia Southern opened the scoring sheet after starting on the attack at kickoff. In the 12th minute, a penalty kick was awarded, and Georgia Southern capitalized from it. The Eagles were awarded yet another penalty kick in the 26th minute, but Richards chose correctly and was able to punch it out. Richards continued making saves for the Trojans, recording eight stops before the halftime whistle.
The Eagles came out once again with a heavy attacking presence and were able to double their lead. Georgia Southern's Kaitlin Cook was able to put the ball over the hands of Richards and put it away.
Troy finally began to create some offensive pressure after the Eagles' second goal, outshooting them 7-4. Troy's first and only goal came in the 86th minute, when Melanie Oldner scored her first goal of the season with a volley.
Even with the pressure, Troy could not equalize, and Georgia Southern would beat Troy.
Moving into Sunday's match against Arkansas State, the Trojans were able to come back in the second half on Senior Day. Senior Day celebrated Taylor Richards, Alaina Uncapher as well as Shyanne Scharbrough, and what a way to celebrate it.
Grace DeShetler and Uncapher both scored second half goals, with DeShetler scoring her first goal of the season. Richards saved the day, yet again, after a late second half equalizer from inside the sixth was miraculously stopped by Richards.
"It was a must-win for us today to keep the season alive and give ourselves a chance going into the final week of the season,” Wyman said. “I'm delighted that we were able to find three points and a win today."
The Trojans struggled on kickoff after multiple passing miscues and clearances put pressure on their own defense. After being forced back multiple times, the pressure from the Wolves' offense converted the ball to them, and a pass through the middle gave Kennedy Horn the opening goal of the match.
Troy continued playing defense for most of the half, being outshot 7-3 by the Wolves before heading to the locker room.
Everything changed in the second half for the Trojans, having more possessions, a higher offensive presence and more goals added to the score sheet.
Troy put massive pressure through the midfield, forcing turnovers that led to Troy's equalizer. DeShetler fired a shot towards the bottom right corner. The goalie reacted late, as the ball made its way into the back of the net for her first career goal and her 44th career shot.
Troy did it again five minutes later on a corner from Isabella Hartofelis. The ball soared into the six-yard box, and Uncapher whipped her head towards the ball to put it past the keeper for her final goal at home.
The Trojans held it down through the rest of the match, finalizing the comeback and bringing home the last home win for three seniors. Troy will finish its regular season on the road on Sunday, Nov. 1, at App State at 1 p.m.
Troy will need at least a win for a chance to make it post season.
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