BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Troy State’s Courtney Reeder and Courtney Dennis each scored a goal as the Lady Trojans handed the Samford soccer team its first Atlantic Sun Conference loss, 2-1 Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Trojans scored the first goal of the game in the 38th minute when Dennis shot off a deflection. Samford goalkeeper Carrie Ollom tipped away a cross by Andi Tickles, but Dennis got the rebound and put it into the net for a 1-0 lead.

TSU added another goal in the 49th minute when Reeder broke loose on the left side. Her shot found the right post to give the Lady Trojans a 2-0 advantage.

Samford fought back to come within one goal in the 74th minute. Freshman forward Heather Pomper one-timed a shot over the head of TSU goalkeeper Jessica Murphy from 20 yards out for her first goal of the season to cut into the lead, 2-1. The goal was set up when sophomore midfielder Kelly Christoffer headed a cross over to Pomper.

The Bulldogs couldn’t add another goal in the last 16 minutes to force overtime as the Lady Trojans picked up their third conference win. The loss was Samford’s first ever to Troy State.

The Bulldogs out shot the Lady Trojans 14-13. Murphy finished with nine saves while Cassie Coggins had three saves for the Bulldogs.

Troy State improves to 3-3 in Atlantic Sun play and moves climbs into a tie for sixth place with four games remaining. TSU is now 7-5 overall. The Lady Trojans return home this week as they play host to Georgia State on Thursday and Campbell on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to start at 3 p.m.