The Trojan soccer team emerged from a pair of weekend matches with two more victories in the season. The hosts won both games of the Trojan Classic, beating UT Martin 2-1 on Friday, Aug. 28, and Louisiana Tech 1-0 on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Troy (4-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) netted two early goals in the game against UT Martin. The Skyhawks (1-3, 0-0 Ohio Valley) clawed their way back into the game with a score in the 53rd minute from freshman midfielder Sydney Norris to make it interesting.
Despite the comeback, the Trojan defense held firm through the rest of the match.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game you’re going to see,” head coach Jason Hamilton said. “We told our girls at the half that you’re going to have to battle, and we did that.”
Freshman midfielder Brittany Yoder was crucial in the first match of the weekend. Yoder scored the first and second collegiate goals of her career.
The Alabaster native scored both goals in the first 20 minutes of the game against UT Martin in her second home start.
“I definitely didn’t expect a starting spot,” Yoder said, “especially coming in as a freshman.”
Yoder is one of 13 new faces to the Trojan soccer team.
“I think all 13 of us really push each other for playing time,” Yoder said. “That makes us all better.”
The Trojans’ second win of the weekend came against Louisiana Tech. This win was the first in school history against the Bulldogs (2-2, 0-0 Conference USA).
“This is the kind of game we have been looking for from our team,” Jason Hamilton said. “Louisiana Tech is a very difficult team to play against. We knew that, and we knew that chances would be few and far between. We’re proud of how the team played, and we executed our game plan.”
The teams spent most of the first half sparring in possession, with few shots taken between the sides. The Trojans enjoyed the majority of the possession on the day, though.
The second half brought more action from both teams, with the Trojans being the more dangerous side in attack.
Senior midfielder Alissa Jones found the breakthrough in the 86th minute. After being able to control the midfield and make offensive progress, the Trojans were finally able to capitalize on the opportunities they created.
Sophomore goalkeeper Mikki Lewis recorded her 14th career shutout in between the sticks. That marks the second clean sheet of the season for the Trojan defense.
The Trojans will make a trip south to Mobile to play in the Jaguar Classic, hosted by the University of South Alabama. The first game against Austin Pea is on Friday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m.
Comments