By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It wasn’t the outcome they were hoping for, with the Troup Lady Tigers falling to Shaw 4-0 in Monday’s soccer showdown at Callaway Stadium.

While it was a losing night, a program that has struggled to find success in recent years has made tremendous strides this season.

After finishing 2018 without a win or a tie, Troup has won twice this season, and it fought Callaway to a hard-earned scoreless draw.

“We’ve definitely put in hard work, and it’s a more positive attitude all the way around with everybody,” said junior Amanda McCartney. “And we’re all kind of playing for each other.”

Troup has beaten Spencer and Hardaway, and it tied Callaway early in the season.

While the Lady Tigers have a losing record (2-8-1), they’ve been competitive in games that were blowouts in previous years.

“Even having closer games, it’s a lot better,” McCartney said. “We’ve just got a fire in us this year.”

It’s a team that features six seniors, including Breanna Gray, who will be a member of the LaGrange College soccer team this fall.

“It’s been refreshing,” Gray said of the better results this season. “The last three years, you have to remember you’re doing it to have fun.”

Steve Langley, Troup’s first-year head coach, has been pleased with the attitude of the players.

“They haven’t quit, and they’ve played hard all season long,” Langley said. “And we’ve got nine freshmen, so it’ll get better.”

In Monday’s boys’ game, it was Shaw getting past Troup 6-0.

It was a 4-0 game at the half, and the Raiders added two more goals in the second half to put it away.

The Tigers (1-10) were hoping to build on a 3-1 home win over the Griffin Bears on March 28.

Helsyn Martinez, a senior and one of Troup’s captains, had a hat trick with three goals in the Griffin game.

Troup visits Bowdon today before hosting Kendrick on Wednesday, and that will be senior night.

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