Four Second Half Goals Spark Troy Comeback Win Over Murray State

Sunday, September 15

Troy, Ala.

1 p.m.

Troy University

Murray State

Photo by: Cass Davis

Four Second Half Goals Spark Troy Comeback Win Over Murray State

9/15/2013 3:44:00 PM | Soccer

By: Tyler Pigg

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TROY, Ala. – The Troy soccer team used an explosive second half on the attack, picking up four goals from three different scorers to earn a 4-2 win over Murray State on Sunday afternoon at the Troy Soccer Complex.

Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time in two weeks, Troy (3-5-0) snapped a three-match losing skid to pick up its first-ever win in three meetings against the Racers. Abby Reynolds led Troy with a pair of goals, while Necee Jennings and Maddie Tieken added a goal a piece in the win.

"I don't think we played our style in the first half like we did on Friday after our loss, but we turned it around in the second half," Troy head coach Chris Bentley said. "We were playing as team (in the second half) and I think it made a huge difference. We had some great finishes from a lot of players."

The Trojans fell behind 1-0 early in the first half as the Racers' Julie Mooney netted her third goal of the season, running down the right side of the 18-yard box and firing a shot to the left of Troy goalkeeper Caitlin Buono to put Murray State (3-2-1) in the lead. Buono recovered after the early goal, saving the next three shots she faced as the junior earned her second win of the season.

In the second half, Troy fired shots early and often as Necee Jennings tied the match at 1-1 in the 51^st minute taking a through ball from Louise Cheng and coverted a one-on-one opportunity for her third goal of the year.

As the half progressed, Troy continued to get more looks on goal and in the 71^st minute the Trojans capitalized on a set piece off a free kick to take the lead. Reynolds delivered her second goal of the season off a cross from Cheng that was headed by Fahrnbauer straight to the freshman's right foot, in which blasted a shot to the left of Murray State goalkeeper Savanna Haberman.

Reynolds added her second goal of the match just six minutes later, taking a pass from Paige McMillian down the center of the field and converting the chance to extend Troy's lead to 3-1.

Murray State cut Troy's lead down to 3-2 in the 83^rd minute, as Lyssie Wright drove into the box and got past a Troy defender to record the goal.

Troy tacked on the final goal of the match to seal the win as Georgia Wallis played a cross from the Trojans' sideline into Maddie Tieken, who earned her third goal of the year by taking a calm touch and firing a shot in to the back of the net.

The Trojans fired 12 of their 17 shots during the second half of the comeback win. Cheng led the Trojans with a pair of assists, while Fahrnbauer, McMillian and Wallis all added an assist in the win. Reynolds, Tieken and Samantha Morgan fired three shots a piece to lead the team.

Troy returns to action on Friday against Gardner-Webb at 4 p.m. at the Troy Soccer Complex.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter and Instagram at @TroyAthletics and on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.