Troy University Athletics
Trojan Soccer Concludes Preseason with Exhibition Match Against North Alabama Sunday
8/17/2019 4:47:00 PM | Soccer
TROY, Ala. -- The Troy Trojans soccer program concludes the preseason Sunday morning at 11 a.m., when the North Alabama Lions visit the Troy Soccer Complex.
The Trojans look to take the next step in head coach Ged O'Connor's third season at the helm. Featuring a roster comprised of mostly underclassmen, the Trojans return several key members at crucial spots. NJCAA All-American and Montverde Academy product Nathali Dasilva bolsters a Trojan midfield that also returns fellow captains Maddie Brune and Kiersten Edlund.
Sophomore Kendra Cashion looks to build upon her initial campaign in Troy that saw the Boca Raton, Fla., native finish with a team-best 21 shots-on-goal. The forward was the second-leading scorer for the Trojans last season, finding the back-of-the-net four times.
In terms of newcomers this season, the Trojans welcome 10 freshmen to campus this fall. Canadian Gabrielle Cossette looks to make an immediate impact for the Trojans this season in goal, looking to stabilize a Troy defense that allowed 47 goals a season ago. While Maryland native Courtney Brown will look to strengthen a Troy midfield that returns five players who saw action a year ago.
Sunday will be the final test-run for the Trojans, before the regular season opens Friday at 7 p.m., with game two of the Trojan Classic. Admission to all Troy home matches is free.
Match Details:
The Matchup:Â Troy vs. North Alabama (Exhibition)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Troy Soccer Complex
When:Â 11a.m.
Stats: TroyStats.com
Hear Them ROAR:
North Alabama looks to continue to rise in the Atlantic Sun Conference heading into the programs second season competing in Division I. The Lions are led defensively by pre-season All-ASUN selection Haley Yarber. Projected to finish sixth this season, North Alabama looks to improve on last season's results that saw the team advance all the way to the ASUN Tournament Championship game before falling to top-seeded Lipscomb, 3-2. Sunday will be the Lions second and final preseason match of the 2019 campaign, as North Alabama previously battled UT Martin to a 1-1 draw last weekend.
Ged Talks:
On what he looks for in Sunday's match:
"I think the challenges are always different in preseason exhibition matches, so North Alabama should provide us with a different challenge than Samford did Friday. The goal is to always win the match, but individually we're looking to get more players opportunities in different spots. We want to get them experience and playing time. Sunday is yet another important step as we look to accomplish our goal of winning the Sun Belt Conference this season."
Thank you, next:
Troy opens the regular season by welcoming Jackson State, South Alabama and Tennessee Tech for the Trojan Classic. Game one for Troy is Friday (7 p.m.) against Jackson State before wrapping up the weekend with Tennessee Tech next Sunday at 2 p.m. Other action includes Tennessee Tech and South Alabama Friday (4 p.m.), and Jackson State versus North Alabama Sunday (11 a.m.).
