Troy University Athletics
Troy Falls To UALR
9/26/2008 5:00:00 AM | Soccer
TROY, Ala. - The Troy and Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans battled throughout the first 54 minutes to a scoreless tie. However, for the first time this season, Troy gave up a second half goal en route to falling to UALR 1-0 in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.
Entering the Friday match, Troy had outscored their opponents 17-0 in the second half. That streak was halted when Grace Rich took a pass up the left side of the pitch and deflected the ball of Troy's Ceil Martinec. Rich was able to run the deflection down and punch it by Troy goalkeeper Ashley Branham for the game-winning goal in the 56th minute.
After the Rich goal, the Trojans came right down the pitch with an opportunity of their own. Sophomore Jill Pinder punched the ball past UALR's goalkeeper, Jane Picarelli, only to have Jacquelyn Paz there to knock off the line and out of danger for the UALR (5-4-1, 0-1 Sun Belt).
“I don't think we played our best soccer today,” Troy coach Chris Bentley said. “Unfortunately they were able to exploit that fact and get opportunities on goal.”
Troy (5-3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) also had a pair of opportunities late when Kate Heilich took a pair of shots in the second half.
Troy's best opportunity came on a set piece when the ball was hit inside the box and it deflected off Picarelli. Mary Morris was there to hammer the rebound, but Picarelli was able to deflect that as well. The final play of the match saw the final opportunity for Troy come up short when Pinder was only able to get a toe on the ball inside the box in which Picarelli was able to make a save.
“I think our best soccer is ahead,” Bentley said. “Unfortunately today just wasn't our day.”
Troy returns to action Sunday afternoon against Arkansas State at 1 pm at the Troy Soccer Complex. The game will be part of dual webcast on TroyTrojans.com and on SBC Extra. Admission to all home soccer matches is free.
Entering the Friday match, Troy had outscored their opponents 17-0 in the second half. That streak was halted when Grace Rich took a pass up the left side of the pitch and deflected the ball of Troy's Ceil Martinec. Rich was able to run the deflection down and punch it by Troy goalkeeper Ashley Branham for the game-winning goal in the 56th minute.
After the Rich goal, the Trojans came right down the pitch with an opportunity of their own. Sophomore Jill Pinder punched the ball past UALR's goalkeeper, Jane Picarelli, only to have Jacquelyn Paz there to knock off the line and out of danger for the UALR (5-4-1, 0-1 Sun Belt).
“I don't think we played our best soccer today,” Troy coach Chris Bentley said. “Unfortunately they were able to exploit that fact and get opportunities on goal.”
Troy (5-3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) also had a pair of opportunities late when Kate Heilich took a pair of shots in the second half.
Troy's best opportunity came on a set piece when the ball was hit inside the box and it deflected off Picarelli. Mary Morris was there to hammer the rebound, but Picarelli was able to deflect that as well. The final play of the match saw the final opportunity for Troy come up short when Pinder was only able to get a toe on the ball inside the box in which Picarelli was able to make a save.
“I think our best soccer is ahead,” Bentley said. “Unfortunately today just wasn't our day.”
Troy returns to action Sunday afternoon against Arkansas State at 1 pm at the Troy Soccer Complex. The game will be part of dual webcast on TroyTrojans.com and on SBC Extra. Admission to all home soccer matches is free.
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