Troy soccer comes home empty handed after two matches on the road

The Troy soccer team had a tough week after falling short against Alabama, 3-0, on Thursday and Jacksonville State, 4-3, on Sunday.

The Trojans started their road games in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where they played against the No. 6-ranked Crimson Tide at the Alabama Soccer Complex. Troy was coming off its first win of the season against Stetson, whereas the

Tide was coming off a four-game winning streak.

Troy started very defensively, with Taylor Richards having a big save early in the fifth minute. The Tide’s entourage would continue for another 15 minutes, giving Alabama three corners and multiple shots towards Richards.

Despite Alabama’s efforts, Troy would hold the Tide to zero in the first half and even find moments to shine. Troy’s first shot came from Mallorie Springs, who fired towards the left side of the net and was kept out by Alabama goalkeeper Madi Munguia.

Troy would also have a chance in the 36th minute with a corner, but Alabama’s defense cleared it before anyone could get to it.

Troy would have another chance to try and create some chances offensively, but three minutes into the second half a penalty would be called against Troy, and Alabama would place the penalty kick for the opening goal of the game. Similarly, Troy was at the cusp of a potential foul inside the box against Alabama, but no foul play was ruled.

Alabama went on to score two more in the 79th minute and 81st minute, and Troy would add another loss to its season.

"Alabama is a great squad,” said head coach Jake Wyman. “They're well led and got a result they probably deserved.

“I thought we did a good job and limited them in the first half. We created three or four half chances throughout the game. We got pinned in at the end of the second half, and their pressure bubbled over. We were proud of the team's efforts and how they battled."

The Trojans would then travel to Jacksonville, Alabama, to take on the Gamecocks in a Sunday evening thriller that would tip in the favor of Jax State.

During the first half, the Trojans had to play catch up after the Gamecocks tallied two goals. Troy’s first goal of the game would come from Imani Hamilton after the free kick was deflected off of a Gamecock defender, making it 2-1.

Three minutes later, the Gamecocks increased the deficit after a bouncing volley pierced its way into the top right corner of the net.

With 24 minutes left in the half, the Trojans would score another with a left footed strike from Mallorie Springs across Jax States goalie to make it 3-2 before going into halftime. Both Hamilton and Springs recorded their first goals for Troy in the first half.

The second half saw the Gamecocks again with possession, as they took six shots within the first 15 minutes. A breakaway would give Troy a great counter towards Jax State’s net, but a foul would give Troy a set piece. As the ball was kicked in, Alaina Uncapher would capitalize off the set piece and tie the game up in the 70th minute.

Troy created another chance in the 79th minute, but the ball could not come down as it grazed the crossbar. After the bombardment of shots from Jax State, it would finally connect with Troy netting in the 85th minute of an olympico.

"Jax State wanted it more in every phase,” Wyman said. “They were decisive and we got what we deserved in the end." 

Troy would go on to lose this matchup after a very tight game against Jax State.

Troy hopes to adjust as they take on Kennesaw State on Friday at the Troy Soccer Complex at 6 p.m. for the start of its three-game homestead.