Call it a Comeback: Trojans Rally for Road Win

Sunday, October 22

Lafayette, La.

2 P.M.

Troy University

7-9-2 (5-4-0SBC)

UL Lafayette

5-10-2 (2-6-2SBC)

OT 2

Troy

UL Lafayette

Call it a Comeback: Trojans Rally for Road Win

10/22/2017 5:09:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Wes Johnson

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – A second half surge and a quick score in overtime lifted Troy to a 3-2 win over UL Lafayette on Sunday at the Ragin' Cajuns Soccer Facility.

Troy (7-9-2, 5-4 Sun Belt) took the majority of the opportunities in the first half but UL Lafayette was first to capitalize. In the 39^th minute Ashleigh Cole heaved a long throw into the box that bounced around before Rebecca Foley poked it past Mikki Lewis and into the net.

Julia Winter led the Trojans with seven shots, including a great scoring chance in the 34^th minute when she sped past a defender and hit a low drive that was saved by the onrushing ULL keeper. Despite taking 12 of their 20 shots in the opening half, the Trojans were unable to find the back of the net.

UL Lafayette (5-10-2, 2-6-2) doubled its lead just 3:53 after the halftime break. Cade's corner service was met by a Lexi Turner header that beat Lewis near post. Lewis made three saves over the next six minutes before Troy's defense tightened and did not allow a shot on goal in the final 35 minutes.

After being awarded a free kick 20 yards out and right of goal, Kiersten Eldund stepped up in the 61^st minute aiming for the far post and slammed a low drive with her left foot. The shot deflected off the defending wall and trickled into the net breathing life back into the squad.

15 minutes later, Mecca Cobbin fought off a ULL defender and played a cross to Julia Winter who one-timed it into goal to draw the sides level. It took just 34 seconds of overtime for the Trojans to take the game. Alison Watkins skipped a pass from the right wing to Winter and with a flick set up Emily Stearns for the game-winner.

QUOTABLE
"It was an excellent team effort to come from behind the way the girls did," Troy head coach Ged O'Connor said. "It is a testament to their character. Now we look forward to moving on to the next game which is the biggest one of year."

UP NEXT
Troy plays its final game of the regular season on Oct. 29 at the Troy Soccer Complex when it hosts Georgia Southern at 1 p.m. The team will honor seniors Mikki Lewis and Haley Roberson in a pregame ceremony.

NOTEWORTHY
• With the win, Troy owns the No. 4 seed in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, which is set to begin on Nov. 1 in Foley, Ala. Depending on the Oct. 29 result, the Trojans could finish as high as third or as low as sixth.

• Entering Sunday, Troy was 0-7-7 in its last 14 overtime games. The program's last overtime victory came on Sept. 21, 2014 – a 1-0 victory over North Florida.

• Julia Winter scored three goals and posted an assist in two games over the weekend. She now has eight goals and four assists on the season.