It's a new season for Troy and that means a fresh start after they went winless a year ago. They boast a deeper bench, and bring back plenty of experience as they look to improve in 2026.

"It's very refreshing," Troy coach Dane Seeley said about the higher numbers. "It feels like a relief from years past starting out. It also gives us a lot more flexibility as to where each individual player, who in the last few years, was locked into one position, the availability to utilize in a better position on the field now that we've got the numbers."

The one thing they don't have starting the season is a goalie. Longtime keeper Timothy Hornung graduated, and he'd been a mainstay in that spot for the past three seasons.

"It's incredibly difficult to find somebody to fill Timmy's shoes," said Seeley. "I believe we have already found them, but we are still trying out new positions. It's complex and anxiety inducing, but I'm sure that we will find somebody by midweek."

They do return several key players from last year, including four year starter Gavin Lykon-Leffler. You'll be able to find him in the center of the field, either in the back or midfield.

"Center back is way more defensive, and center mid is more you play every position," he said, with his preference being in the middle. "I find myself getting sucked back a lot."

Ethan Hoffman will be in the midfield for the Trojans.

"It's a lot of work, but I've got that dedication," he said. "I love it. I would never do anything different. You've got to be built for it because it's a lot of running."

Landon Lee plans on being back on defense for the Trojans.

"We all work together, so we all know how to play with each other," he said. "It just works out better with us in the middle."

One theme for the Trojans this year has been communication.

"It's incredibly important," said Seeley. "We do not have the most vocal team. We have worked on identifying some key words, and trying to refine what we are saying on the field to eliminate that confusion for the newcomers, and further sharpen the returning seniors and juniors, so that we may be a lot more efficient on the field."

They're hoping that communication will lead to longer possessions so they don't have to chase all game long.

"Spreading the field, move the ball around, don't let the ball stop, keep the ball moving," Lee said about their on field objectives.

The seniors are also focused on being better leaders this year.

"It shows me how I need to step up," Lykon-Leffler said. "It also gives me the ability to connect with the younger players, because I'm in that position to do that."

Seeley has a few newcomers in mind that he expects to step up this year in Kabe Renzo, Travis Winder, and Kannon Lindsey.

He's hoping the fresh blood will help the Trojans put the last couple seasons behind them as they build the program back.

"It's a little demoralizing, but at the end of the day I'm with my friends, and everyone I love, and have learned to become really close with them," Hoffman said. "So it's really not killing me, but I would love to win."

ROSTER

Grant Asatryan (12)

Ethan Hoffman (12)

Landon Lee (12)

Gavin Lykon-Leffler (12)

Aaron Prouty (12)

Logan Strope (12)

Christopher Sullivan (12)

Gabriel Blaney (11)

Marcus Frisbie (11)

Eya Heasley (11)

Kix Carr (10)

Liam O'Neil (10)

Asa Kibbe (9)

Kannon Lindsey (9)

Kabe Renzo (9)

Elijah Watson (9)

Travis Winder (9)

SCHEDULE

Aug. 29 vs Williamson, 4 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Muncy, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 1 at Wellsboro, 4 p.m.

Sep. 3 vs NEB, 4 p.m.

Sep. 8 at Athens, 4 p.m.

Sep. 10 at Wyalusing, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Loyalsock, 11 a.m.

Sep. 17 at Towanda, 6 p.m.

Sep. 21 vs NPL, 4 p.m.

Sep. 23 vs Galeton, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Williamson, 10 a.m.

Sep. 28 vs Wellsboro, 4 p.m.

Sep. 30 at NEB, 4 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Galeton, 4 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs Athens, 4 p.m.

Oct. 7 vs Wyalusing, 4 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs Towanda, 4 p.nm.

Oct. 15 at NPL, 4 p.m.