Michael Shipma
Staff Writer
The Troy soccer team extended its win streak to six games last weekend, with victories at home over Jacksonville State and UAB. The Trojans (6-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) are just one shy of the school record for longest unbeaten streak of seven games.
Troy started the weekend with a 3-1 win over Jacksonville State on Friday, Sept. 12. The Trojans went into the game with a four-game win streak, matching the longest in school history.
The Gamecocks (4-4) were unable to stop the Trojans early on, allowing Troy to take seven shots in the first period. The Trojans’ aggressiveness led to a goal in the 26th minute from freshman forward Natalie Melillo. The goal was Melillo’s third of the year.
The Trojans’ offensive success continued later in the first half with a goal from junior forward Chelsey Williams in the 47th minute. Sophomore forward Annabell Simpson made a pass, allowing Williams to score off one touch. The goal moved Williams into second on the all-time Troy scoring list.
However, JSU bounced back with a goal from junior forward Courtney Hurt in the 53rd minute.
The goal sparked life into the Gamecocks, and they were able to build momentum through the second half. Fortunately for the Trojans, junior midfielder Alissa Jones came through with a goal in the 80th minute, ending any hopes at a JSU comeback.
“She’s been a really good player for us playing in her new offensive role,” head coach Jason Hamilton said. “She’s learning it as she goes along, and she’s improving every game.”
The Trojans took this momentum into their second weekend game against in-state rival UAB on Sunday, Sept. 14. They won 2-1 in come-from-behind fashion.
The Blazers (2-5) began the game fast and physical, with junior midfielder Paige Hanks scoring in the 15th minute.
Despite the momentum, the Trojan defense held true, allowing the offense to get in gear. Junior midfielder Jasmine Farhnbauer scored her second goal of the season with a header off a free kick from Jones to tie things up in the 53rd minute.
The goal instantly turned the momentum in Troy’s favor. The defense tightened up and the offense became more efficient as the Trojans sought to complete their comeback with a winning goal.
That goal came in the 84th minute when Farhnbauer drilled the ball into the corner of the net after it was deflected out of the box by a UAB defender. The goal was her second of the game, and lifted the Trojans past UAB.
“This is the first time in history we’ve gotten six wins in a row,” Farhnbauer said. ”The whole team’s excited.”
The Trojans look to continue their streak on Friday, Sept. 19, when they travel to Mobile to play Francis Marion in the Jaguar Classic. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
