LAGRANGE – A year ago, the Troup High boys’ soccer team pulled off a huge road win over a strong Carrollton team.

Despite getting that 2-1 victory, though, the Tigers ended up finishing fifth in Region 5-AAAA, and they didn’t make the state playoffs.

Flash forward a year ago, and it was Carrollton returning the favor by getting a 3-0 road win over Troup on Tuesday night at the Troup County Soccer Complex.

It was a disappointing loss for the Tigers, but it was only their first region game, so there is plenty of time for them to play their way into the state tournament.

Beating Carrollton a year ago didn’t help the Tigers make it to state, so maybe losing that game this year means they’ll finish strong and advance to the playoffs.

At least that’s what head coach Jase Crenshaw is hoping for.

“I’ll gladly take that loss if it means we make it to state,” Crenshaw said.

Troup was supposed to begin its region schedule on March 3 against Woodward Academy, but that game was rained out.

The Tigers are having a strong season, and they came into Thursday’s game with a 4-2-1 record, although they were coming off a 3-1 loss to Hardaway on Friday.

In the Hardaway game, Troup started off slowly, and it was behind 3-0 at the half.

The Tigers were hoping to get off to a better start against the Trojans, but they instead found themselves trailing moments into the game.

“They scored two goals in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the game,” Crenshaw said. “I don’t know if it was a lack of intensity or what. I thought we had a good warmup.”

Troup’s defense stiffened from there and didn’t allow Carrollton to score again in the first half, and it was a 2-0 game at the break.

The Tigers’ hopes of mounting a comeback took a major hit when the Trojans scored early in the second half to take a 3-0 lead, and that’s the way it ended.

In Tuesday’s girls’ game, the Troup Lady Tigers remained winless with an 8-0 loss to Carrollton.

Troup’s teams will host Spencer on Thursday in non-region play, and they’ll return to the region schedule on March 24 with games at Sandy Creek.

Troup’s teams have four more region games to play, and they’ll need to finish fourth or higher to qualify for state.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports