Busy week for Troup soccer teams
Published 11:33 pm Thursday, February 14, 2019
By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY
Daily News
They had their chances, but the Troup Tigers were unable to find the net in a hard-fought home soccer match with Brookstone on a chilly Thursday evening.
Brookstone scored with 14 minutes remaining, and it made that lead stand up.
The Tigers kept attacking, and they even had two corner kicks in the final 30 seconds, but none of their shots connected.
In Thursday’s girls’ match, it was a strong Brookstone team capturing a 10-0 win over Troup.
It was the continuation of a busy week for both Troup teams.
When Troup’s teams visit Callaway today for a county showdown, it will be their fourth matches in five days.
The Tigers are 0-3, but they’ve been right there with a chance to win two of those matches.
Troup opened the season 3-2 loss to Hardaway at Callaway Stadium, with Neil Patel and Sam West both scoring goals for the home team.
After a 6-0 road loss to Opelika on Wednesday, Troup was back home on Thursday.
After surrendering the go-ahead goal in the second half, the Tigers controlled the action and gave themselves some solid looks at the end.
Helsyn Martinez and West both had shot attempts in the final 10 minutes that appeared to have a chance but were just off-target.
“We’re getting there,” said Eddie Lawson, Troup’s new head coach. “We’ve just got to learn how to win one of these games.”
Lawson said there are a lot of newcomers on the team who are still in the learning stage.
That includes his son, senior Sydney Lawson, who is playing soccer for the first time and has been doing an admirable job at goal keeper.
“We’re trying to get better,” coach Lawson said. “We’re young. We’re still having some growing pains, but we’re getting there.”
For the Troup girls’ team, it has been a successful week, no matter what happens today.
After going winless last season, Troup got a much-needed victory against Hardaway on Monday.
Monserrath Villar Vazquez and Alyssa Barton scored Troup’s goals, and Whitney Wallace did a terrific job at goal keeper.
Troup lost to Opelika 10-0 on Wednesday, and it fell to Brookstone by the same score on Thursday.
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