Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Jacksonville State University
Troy Soccer Defeats Jacksonville State On The Road
9/17/2010 9:05:28 PM | Soccer
Trojans head home for Sunday showdown with Mississippi Valley State
Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Troy University soccer team defeated in-state foe Jacksonville State Friday night on the Gamecocks' home pitch 2-0, although the score was no indication of the way the match was played.
"Credit has to go, first and foremost, to Jacksonville State tonight,” said head coach Chris Bentley. “They fought and battled the entire match, and possessed the ball very well."
The Trojans (4-2-1) win did not come easy from an opponent whose winning record does not fully reflect the difficulty of play that Jacksonville State (2-6-1) brought to the match.
It was the Trojans offense who came out strong in the match as they would total 12 shots, while their defense also held up their end, holding the Gamecocks to only five shots.
In the 40th minute it was the sophomore Nikki Stamaris who would strike first for the Trojans on an assist by fellow sophomore Ruth Sutcliffe. The goal would send the Trojans into half time with a 1-0 lead.
The Trojans came out just as strong in the second half as junior Mary Morris put in the second goal in a one-v-one situation with Jacksonville State goalkeeper Ali Koenig. Senior Jill Pinder would record the assist on the play that sealed the victory for the Trojans.
The shutout is the second of the season for Troy goalkeeper Ashley Branham and the Trojans' defense through seven matches.
"We were able to capitalize when we had possession,” said Bentley. “They put pressure on us from the start, and really put us in some adverse situations. We were able to bounce back from those situations and come out with a win."
Troy hits the pitch again Sunday at 1 p.m. in Troy Soccer Complex against Mississippi Valley State. Admission is free to all home soccer matches, and the match can be seen on All-Access via TroyTrojans.com.
