Michael Shipma
Staff Writer
The Troy soccer team extended its school-record win streak to eight games this weekend, with wins over Francis Marion and North Florida in the Jaguar Classic, played in Mobile on Sept. 19 and 21.
The victories added to the continued success of the Trojans under first-year head coach Jason Hamilton.
The Trojans (8-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) began their weekend in Mobile with a 3-1 victory against Francis Marion on Friday, Sept. 19. Troy would score only in the first half.
The winless Patriots (0-7, 0-0 Peach Belt) were unable to stop the Trojans’ offensive attack, leaving Troy to control the majority of the possession.
Junior forward Chelsey Williams was the first to score for the Trojans with a shot that soared over junior goalkeeper Taylor O’Berry.
The goal was Williams’ 21st of her career, tying her with Mary Morris for second on the all-time scoring list at Troy.
This goal got the Trojans into the game, and seven minutes later, junior midfielder Alissa Jones scored. Jones stole the ball from a Patriot defender and scored to put Troy up 2-0.
The Patriots weren’t finished, though, with sophomore midfielder Kelly Anthony scoring on a corner kick.
Still up 2-1, the Trojans answered the score. Junior midfielder Payton Donley was able to find the back of the net to put the Trojans ahead by two goals for the second time.
While Troy managed 23 shots during the game, the team scored only three times.
“I don’t think the score reflects where we are as a team,” Hamilton said. “We had a couple of chances that we failed to score, but these are games to learn from.”
Troy’s success in the Jaguar Classic continued with a 1-0 double overtime victory over North Florida.
The Ospreys (1-8, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) were able to keep the game even throughout regulation, and it took a late surge by the Trojans to hold them off.
Troy didn’t look like its normal dominant self through
out the game, as it allowed 11 shots and committed 10 fouls.
North Florida refused to be put away and kept Troy scoreless for 102 minutes, due in large part to a nine-save performance by senior goalkeeper Megan Dorsey.
After being held scoreless through regulation and the first overtime, Troy regrouped late and found a way to score a golden goal to win. This goal came
from the Trojans’ leading scorer, Jones, who received a pass from Williams and drilled a shot from 18 yards out that found the far corner of the net.
“It was a tough weekend for us,” Hamilton said. “We didn’t play our best soccer, but we pushed through and came out with two wins. That speaks to the character of this team.”
Troy will go on the road to play South Alabama this Friday, Sept. 26, to open up conference play. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
