In their first attempt at a state tournament, the girls of the Troy 9U tournament team started with a bang.

This year is the first year the Troy recreation soccer program has had enough girls to split the tournament team down the gender line and the Troy 9U girls answered the call by winning the first two games of the state tournament Saturday in Dothan.

“They all played so good out there,” assistant coach Robin Snyder said. “The defense played extremely well and our defenders and goalie did a good job of stopping the opponent all day.”

The team won its first game against Fort Payne to the tune of 5-1 and shutout Dothan in game number two, 2-0.

Snyder said the atmosphere surrounding the girls for the first ever tournament was outstanding.

“We had great fan support and there were a lot of parents and fans cheering loudly for our team,” Snyder said.

But, the best part about the day involved the other 9U tournament team from Troy.

“The most special part about the day was that the boys’ team supported us the entire way and we supported them before and after their games,” Snyder said. “It was a big plus to have them there. It was a great experience for our girls.”

In the win over Fort Payne, Peighton Carpenter and Shelby Shivar each had two goals and Nelsey Leverette added one goal.

Against Dothan Carpenter and Shivar each had one goal scored.

The girls will play Ozark at 9 a.m. today.