Troy soccer prepares for another season

The Troy soccer team made many changes and additions during the offseason, with new players, coaches and tactics making its way onto the pitch. Since May, head coach Jake Wyman and his staff have been able to pull 13 new players onto the team for this upcoming season, with eight freshmen joining the squad, as well as five new transfers.

"We're ecstatic to finish our first recruiting class with some quality transfers," Wyman said. "Our staff worked our socks off to assemble an impactful recruiting class and we are eager to see that impact."

On top of this, Wyman was able to bring on Johnny Ellis and Keenan Ainge to the coaching staff.

Ellis started back in March after a successful span of wins, resulting in winning 10-plus matches in four of the last five seasons with Belhaven University. The most recent addition was Keenan Ainge, who came off a successful season with Spring Hill College, where his keepers had 12 clean sheets and held opponents to only 0.72 goals per game.

"We are excited to add another great coach to the Troy staff," Wyman said. "Keenan will do a great job leading our goalkeepers and play a vital role in the team's success.

“The fall season is almost here, and our staff is ready to have a proper go at it."

With Troy's preseason already coming to an end, Wyman and his team are looking ahead to the regular season, with the head coach implementing his tactics for the upcoming season. With so many changes this season, challenges are inevitable, but Wyman hopes to take adversity by the horns.

"We're looking forward to our first season at Troy,” Wyman said. “I think the nonconference games will prepare us for the Sun Belt regular season.

“The SBC will challenge us in every game – home or away – and we look forward to taking those challenges head-on."

The Trojans will open their campaign with two road games against Middle Tennessee State on Thursday and Southeastern Louisiana on the following Thursday, Aug. 20.

Their home opener is set for Aug. 23 against Stetson.