SIGHTS FROM THE SIDELINES: LADY TROJANS FINALLY GET OVER THE HUMP (2021-10-24)

BY CHRIS MANNING 
Northern Tier Sports Report
It’s been 11 years since Troy last won the NTL title outright but in 2021 they put an end to that drought.

“It’s a great feeling because we’ve worked so hard the past two years,” said midfielder Caelyn Pine. “The whole team’s just been a really good experience, it’s amazing.”

Last year they shared it with Wellsboro and Athens after a Covid-19 marred season. They split with the Wildcats, but didn’t even get a chance to play the Hornets.

This year everybody got a taste of Lady Trojan soccer, and Troy came out with just one league loss.

“It means a lot more not having to share because we know that we earned it singly,” said sweeper Emmi Ward.

After an undefeated regular season in 2010 the Trojans watched Athens win nine straight league titles, before last year’s trio of champions. 

Troy had been close in a few of those years with Athens - tying them early in the season only to lose later, or getting tripped up by a Wellsboro or Towanda. 

“It’s really cool because every year we’ve been really close, so to be able to finally get it, it’s really awesome,” said defensive back Molly Davison. 

They did lose at Athens this season, but got an assist from Wyalusing, who took down Athens 2-1 up in the valley. Troy then took care of business with a 5-3 win over the Wildcats at home.

“It was an eye opener for us,” Pine said about the loss, one in which they led 2-1 at the half. “We had to regroup, and fix what our problems were. We really didn’t have many, but we fixed them, we worked on them, and we perfected them.”

There would be no other slip-ups, too, as they swept NEB, and beat Wellsboro and Wyalusing.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Ward remarked about the title.

And for Troy, it all starts in the back with the ‘Thunda Sistas’ - Ward, Molly Davison and Grace Sherman. They can snuff out attacks with the best of them, and help dominate the midfield to keep the pressure on the other team.

“We are really fortunate to have the three back there that we do,” said Sherman. “We have awesome speed, and we just work well together. It’s so nice to see us come together, and see us dominate back there.”

They really came along well last season, building a good rapport, which is crucial on defense.

“We’ve worked together for a lot of years now, so we know each other really well,” said Davison. “We play together really well. It’s really nice to share the NTL championship together.”

The second half of the season their offense has taken off, especially behind the efforts of their right side - Addy Parker, Camille McRoberts, and Anneliese Getola.

“I really enjoy working them,” said mid-fielder Getola. “The right side is just finally getting it down this year, it’s really exciting.”

They were key in their win over Athens, controlling that side of the field, and allowing Parker to get inside the box to score her four goals in that NTL deciding win.

“That was exciting,” remarked Getola. “Finally getting that effort after working in practice so much, and seeing it come out in a game is the best feeling.”

Now, with the NTL behind them, the Trojans will focus on district play this week. They’re the fourth seed, and will take on Bloomsburg on Saturday at a place and time to be determined. 

The playoffs haven’t been kind to the Trojans, especially being in Class AA with some state powers, but they’re not going to slow down just yet. 

“We’ve never made it that far into districts, so it would be just be awesome,” Sherman said about making a run. “Of course, I don’t want this season to end, so we’re definitely going to try.”