Troy University Athletics
Two Trojans Stay Sharp During Off-Season in WPSL
7/26/2012 2:10:00 PM | Soccer
With most student-athletes enjoying much needed time off from the rigorous day-to-day work of a soccer player, two Trojans have spent the summer break training with some of the best in the country in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL).
Chelsey Williams made a name for herself in her first season with Troy in 2011, leading the team with 19 points on nine goals and one assist in 18 games. This off-season, Williams brought her skills to the Gulf Coast Texans in Pensacola, Fla., scoring once and adding two assists in four games, and helping lead the team to an 8-0-0 record and a spot in the WPSL Championships.
“We work hard every day,” Williams said. “My skill-work is improving just by playing with all these other great athletes.”
Fellow sophomore Alissa Jones is also set to make an appearance in the WPSL Championships. Her team, Oklahoma FC, finished its season with an 11-1-2 record, and earned a spot in the upcoming championships with a 4-2 win over American Eagles Soccer Club. Jones has appeared in six contests, scoring once and adding one assist. In her freshman season with the Trojans, Jones started 20 games and finished second on the team with 16 points on seven goals and two assists.
“It's a lot different,” said Jones. “It's quicker, and the girls have so much more experience, they are so much more developed.”
Jones has used the different style of play to her advantage.
“It's been a really good learning experience,” Jones said. “It's helped change the way I play. I've learned to play faster and smarter.”
Troy head coach Chris Bentley sees this as an opportunity for Jones and Williams to continue to learn and develop their talents on the field.
“Having the opportunity to play at that level over the summer will give them a new chance to learn from a different coach and environment,” said Bentley. “Playing with different, high-level players is a great way to learn.”
The WPSL is comprised of 65 teams in 10 divisions across the country, with professional and amateur teams, and is currently the second level of women's soccer in the United States. Following the folding of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), which was the top league in the United States, the WPSL has continued to expand, adding the WPSL Elite, which includes three former WPS squads.
Both Jones and Williams have relished in the opportunity to play against quality opponents in the summer months.
“It's a higher level of competition,” said Jones. “There are girls from all over, even some from the national team.”
“It's been a great experience,” said Williams. “It's such a well-rounded group of girls and the team is very skilled.”
Following the conclusion of regular season play, four teams have advanced to the WPSL Championships, taking place in Pensacola, Fla., home of the Gulf Coast Texans, on July 28th and 29th.
For the Texans, hosting the Championships almost didn't happen.
“They were going to be in California,” said Williams. “We did fundraising carwashes and other things and raised enough money to host the final four.”
Oklahoma FC will face-off against Aztec MA at 4 p.m. ET and the Gulf Coast Texans will take on Salt Lake United at 6:30 p.m. ET. The championship game will be held at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium.
Bentley feels that competing in the championships will offer a unique chance for his players to experience what it takes to be successful at a very high level.
“They're learning a lot about what it takes to win on a consistent basis,” Bentley said. “They get to experience what type of environment it takes to maintain a standard of play that's high enough to compete on the national stage.”
Both players are looking forward to the upcoming championships, and the potential to play each other with the cup on the line.
“We're ready,” Williams said. “Everything's clicking. We just have to play our game and stay relaxed.”
“I hope to play Chelsey,” Jones said. “It would be cool to have Troy representing both teams in the final.”
Chelsey Williams made a name for herself in her first season with Troy in 2011, leading the team with 19 points on nine goals and one assist in 18 games. This off-season, Williams brought her skills to the Gulf Coast Texans in Pensacola, Fla., scoring once and adding two assists in four games, and helping lead the team to an 8-0-0 record and a spot in the WPSL Championships.
“We work hard every day,” Williams said. “My skill-work is improving just by playing with all these other great athletes.”
Fellow sophomore Alissa Jones is also set to make an appearance in the WPSL Championships. Her team, Oklahoma FC, finished its season with an 11-1-2 record, and earned a spot in the upcoming championships with a 4-2 win over American Eagles Soccer Club. Jones has appeared in six contests, scoring once and adding one assist. In her freshman season with the Trojans, Jones started 20 games and finished second on the team with 16 points on seven goals and two assists.
“It's a lot different,” said Jones. “It's quicker, and the girls have so much more experience, they are so much more developed.”
Jones has used the different style of play to her advantage.
“It's been a really good learning experience,” Jones said. “It's helped change the way I play. I've learned to play faster and smarter.”
Troy head coach Chris Bentley sees this as an opportunity for Jones and Williams to continue to learn and develop their talents on the field.
“Having the opportunity to play at that level over the summer will give them a new chance to learn from a different coach and environment,” said Bentley. “Playing with different, high-level players is a great way to learn.”
The WPSL is comprised of 65 teams in 10 divisions across the country, with professional and amateur teams, and is currently the second level of women's soccer in the United States. Following the folding of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), which was the top league in the United States, the WPSL has continued to expand, adding the WPSL Elite, which includes three former WPS squads.
Both Jones and Williams have relished in the opportunity to play against quality opponents in the summer months.
“It's a higher level of competition,” said Jones. “There are girls from all over, even some from the national team.”
“It's been a great experience,” said Williams. “It's such a well-rounded group of girls and the team is very skilled.”
Following the conclusion of regular season play, four teams have advanced to the WPSL Championships, taking place in Pensacola, Fla., home of the Gulf Coast Texans, on July 28th and 29th.
For the Texans, hosting the Championships almost didn't happen.
“They were going to be in California,” said Williams. “We did fundraising carwashes and other things and raised enough money to host the final four.”
Oklahoma FC will face-off against Aztec MA at 4 p.m. ET and the Gulf Coast Texans will take on Salt Lake United at 6:30 p.m. ET. The championship game will be held at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium.
Bentley feels that competing in the championships will offer a unique chance for his players to experience what it takes to be successful at a very high level.
“They're learning a lot about what it takes to win on a consistent basis,” Bentley said. “They get to experience what type of environment it takes to maintain a standard of play that's high enough to compete on the national stage.”
Both players are looking forward to the upcoming championships, and the potential to play each other with the cup on the line.
“We're ready,” Williams said. “Everything's clicking. We just have to play our game and stay relaxed.”
“I hope to play Chelsey,” Jones said. “It would be cool to have Troy representing both teams in the final.”
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