Holohan: Trojans have gem in soccer team
Published 3:00 am Wednesday, October 22, 2014
By Sean Holohan
There hasn’t been much to brag about this football season at Troy University.
Legendary head coach Larry Blakeney announced his impending retirement earlier in the season, and the Trojans are off to a rough 1-6 start.
Diehard fans and supporters are looking for something, anything to cheer for as Troy completes the tail end of their football schedule.
The cards seem to be stacked against the Trojans.
But what if I told you that there was another kind of Troy University football that is demolishing records and boasts the best overall mark in the history of the program?
No, not that kind of football.
Well, OK. Soccer as it is referred to in America.
Sure, football dominates headlines in this country during the fall. That can’t be argued, and it shouldn’t be.
But believe it or not, the Troy University soccer team has flown under everyone’s radar this year and is a gem just waiting to be discovered.
The women of Troy soccer have completely re-written the record books this year.
The Trojans just won their final home game Sunday 3-0 against Georgia State, finishing undefeated with a record of 9-0 within the confines of the Troy Soccer Complex.
But that’s just scratching the surface.
With an overall record of 12-5 this season, the Trojans have already set a new school record for most wins a season, making them the most successful soccer team in program history — one that began in 1997. And they still have two more games to play.
Hold on, there’s more.
Sunday’s game against Georgia State saw a slew of individual records broken.
In the game’s 74th minute, junior forward Chelsey Williams’s penalty kick goal gave her 23 goals on the season. The goal gave Williams 55 career points, pushing her past Mary Morris for most all-time, per the University.
Also on Sunday, junior midfielder Alissa Jones scored her 17th career goal, making her fifth in all-time goals. And earlier this season, Jones set a school record for career, single-season and single-game shots, per the University.
Needless to say, this has been a magical season for the Trojans.
Sure, soccer doesn’t have anywhere near as much pull as football in this state, but these ladies deserve your support and attention.
Though they have no more home games, you can still follow them through their last two games of the year as they try to climb the Sun Belt rankings.
The Trojans are currently sitting at 4-3 in the Sun Belt, tied for third, and will finish their regular season at University of Arkansas at Little Rock Friday and Arkansas State on Sunday.
Depending on how they fair in their next two games, the Trojans have a chance to play for a conference championship.
The women’s team can be followed on Twitter (@TroyTrojansWSOC), which they update constantly with news and live game day updates.
Yes, Troy football is having a down year this season. At times it can be hard to watch. But there is a different kind of Troy football that is having the best season in their existence.
My hat is off to them. Be proud of your soccer team, Troy.