Tieken Records Hat Trick in Debut as Trojans Roll

Friday, August 20

Troy, AL

3:00 p.m.

Troy University

Wofford College

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

Tieken Records Hat Trick in Debut as Trojans Roll

8/20/2010 7:01:37 PM | Soccer

Trojans Open Season with 6-1 Win Over Wofford

By: Ben Maxwell

Box Score

TROY, Ala. – Troy kicked off its 2010 season in thrilling fashion with a 6-1 victory over Wofford in front of a packed house at the Trojan Soccer Complex.

“This win was exciting but we have to build off of this,” head coach Chris Bentley said. “Anytime you come out and get a positive result it's great, but at the same time we have to continue to work and continue to move forward.”

Although it took until the 21st minute for sophomore Nikki Stamaris to record the first goal of the year, Troy controlled the game from the very beginning. Stamaras' goal set off a bombardment of shots and goals from the rest of the Trojans.

Along with Stamaris' goal, junior Mary Morris and freshman Maddie Tieken also scored in the first half. English native Ruth Sutcliffe, another newcomer, posted a pair of assists in the first half.

“It's not really about the result, as far as us getting up three to nil, its more about us trying to push and get done what we're trying to get done,” Bentley said. “We stress the fact that we have to focus on the process of the game. It's not all about us playing them, it's about us playing ourselves to a degree.”

In the second half, it was the 56-minute goal from freshman Cecilia Thorngren that propelled the Trojans into another scoring frenzy.

Tieken had one of the most spectacular plays of the game. After receiving a lob pass from goalkeeper Ashley Branham, Tieken finished the play to record a hat trick in her first collegiate soccer match.

“After the first two goals I was tired, but the third one came from our goalie on a huge cross," Tieken said. "I wasn't even sure it was going all the way, but it did and she got an assist.”

The amazing performance by the freshman made it difficult to realize it was her first match at the collegiate level.

“It was nerve wracking," Tieken said. "I remember while I was warming up I kicked myself and wipped out in front of everybody. It was intimidating getting out there, but it was all fun.”

Although down six goals, Wofford kept attacking. The Terriers pressured the Trojan defense, forcing an own goal by the Trojans.

“We gave up more opportunities for goals right after we had scored a goal, which is something we have to work on,” Bentley said.

“The goal we gave up opened their eyes a little bit and woke them up. Wofford pushed us at times in the second half as a result of us becoming fatigued from the way they played. They held their restraining line and it gave us problems.”

Even though it was an encouraging win for the Trojans, they hope to still learn from their play and improve as they move forward into the season.

“We had a quality of play that was at a high standard; however our fitness can improve as we move forward,” Bentley said.

“Towards the end of the game we began to get fatigued and it showed in our technique. We've also tried to increase our speed of play, keeping the ball and building up the attack, and we did a better job of that today.”

The Trojans return to action a week from today when they host Southeastern Louisiana at 4 p.m. inside the Trojan Soccer Complex. Admission is free to all Troy home soccer matches.

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