Troy University Athletics
Stuart Gore Previews Sophomore Class
8/15/2023 6:15:00 PM | Soccer
TROY, Ala. – The sophomore class is a smaller one this season for Troy women's soccer, consisting of only five players. While there may not be many of them in the locker room, the second-year players look to make their mark on this season.
This is part one of a three-part series highlighting each of the classes – freshman, sophomore and upperclassmen – prior to the Trojans' regular season opener on Thursday, Aug. 17, against Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn. Gore answered questions and gave his thought on each class.
Q: These players have had their first taste of collegiate soccer now. What is the next step in their development as athletes?
Gore: It's kicking on and going through the gears. They need to cement themselves within the team. Can they step up and keep their "train" going. I always say to them, "You were just a freshman. Just because you stepped up a grade, doesn't mean you'll get more minutes. You've got to get yourself in the team and earn it. You want to be moving up."
Q: Have you seen any players that have started to really make that jump?
Gore: The biggest one right now is Dolce Villaflor, who we've brought in from Central Michigan. She plays older than she actually is. She's a great forward. She knows what she wants to do. She knows she wants to score goals. She knows that's the meat and potatoes of the job. She's been the biggest one so far that's made a big impact.
Q: Is it hard for a sophomore to go from the "new kids on the block" as a freshman, to not quite having the leadership role of an upperclassman yet?
Gore: The team gels really well with that actually. They don't divvy out into class systems in terms of their friend groups. They tend to get on off the field that way, and that helps in the field. The camaraderie between all of them is great. I'm really happy to see where it's not, "I'm only friends with whoever's in my year group." I've been in many teams like that and it's just toxic."
This is part one of a three-part series highlighting each of the classes – freshman, sophomore and upperclassmen – prior to the Trojans' regular season opener on Thursday, Aug. 17, against Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn. Gore answered questions and gave his thought on each class.
Q: These players have had their first taste of collegiate soccer now. What is the next step in their development as athletes?
Gore: It's kicking on and going through the gears. They need to cement themselves within the team. Can they step up and keep their "train" going. I always say to them, "You were just a freshman. Just because you stepped up a grade, doesn't mean you'll get more minutes. You've got to get yourself in the team and earn it. You want to be moving up."
Q: Have you seen any players that have started to really make that jump?
Gore: The biggest one right now is Dolce Villaflor, who we've brought in from Central Michigan. She plays older than she actually is. She's a great forward. She knows what she wants to do. She knows she wants to score goals. She knows that's the meat and potatoes of the job. She's been the biggest one so far that's made a big impact.
Q: Is it hard for a sophomore to go from the "new kids on the block" as a freshman, to not quite having the leadership role of an upperclassman yet?
Gore: The team gels really well with that actually. They don't divvy out into class systems in terms of their friend groups. They tend to get on off the field that way, and that helps in the field. The camaraderie between all of them is great. I'm really happy to see where it's not, "I'm only friends with whoever's in my year group." I've been in many teams like that and it's just toxic."
Players Mentioned
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