NTL GIRLS' SOCCER: TROY POSTS DOMINANT 2024 CAMPAIGN (2024-11-18)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It wasn’t another banner raising year for Troy, their fifth in a row, and were even more dominant this season than their previous four.

Troy went 17-1 on the year, and were undefeated in NTL games, the first team to do that since Athens in the 2010’s (Troy had one league loss in 2021, and tied Williamson in 2023).

In doing so they accomplish two of their three main goals - win a league crown and win a district game, coming up just one game short of their third goal, making the state tournament.

“Our team was solid up front with Gianna, Mallory, Saydi, and Alexis, Braelynn and

Claire accounting for over 70 goals on the season, leading the scoring in the NTL,” said Troy coach Wayne Pratt. “Our midfield did a tremendous job controlling the tempo of the game and running our

attack. I felt our success this year was a credit to these ladies staying calm. I heard them more than once reminding each other to ‘stay the course, it will come.’ Saydi and Alexis would read and study the opponent and make adjustments where needed, they relayed the changes to Kyah, Stella, Kylie, Raelynn, Hailey, Ella, Isabella whoever was in the game and usually with ten minutes they had the team all on board with the game plan.”

It was on the defensive end that Pratt felt his team improved the most.

“Defensively, LIGHTS OUT, 15 shutouts, a championship,” he said. “It didn’t matter what combination was in the game, the defense took it personally to shut down the opponent. Maddie and Jaylee were an exciting duo to watch, they had so much faith in Parker, Elaina, Camdyn, Mallory, Kylie, Kyah, Aubrey, Rachel, Hailey, Emma it did not matter they worked hard in practice to be one back there and it showed in games. They were able to defend with confidence knowing that if one were to get by they had Seeley to make the final stop. What a beast to have guarding the goal, not only did she have the 15 shutouts this year but has 40 shutouts in her career, the best here at Troy. Seeley was more than just a ‘see ball get ball’ goalie , she guided our defense and midfield vocally. Seeley was seldom quiet back there, lonely yes but not quiet.”

The Trojans opened with a 5-game win streak, which included wins over Loyalsock (3-2), district finalist Muncy (3-0), Towanda (8-0), Williamson (5-1), and Montoursville (1-0).

After a tough loss to Class A district champions South Williamsport (2-1), they won their next 12 games. The biggest wins came against Shikellamy (1-0), Williamson (1-0), Wyalusing (4-0, 3-0), and a season ending sweep of Athens (2-1, 4-0) to clinch the undefeated league season.

They defeated Williamson, 4-0, in the district quarterfinals for their first playoff win in a decade before falling to Hughesville in the semifinals.

“Our season was special with wins over Mountoursville and Shikellamy, along with a close game with South Williamsport,” Pratt noted. “The season was special for so many reasons, and yes we say good bye and good luck to four seniors who will forever be Lady Trojans: Madi Palmer—Maddie Seeley---Elaina ‘Spud’ Prieto—Ella Lawton.”

They return Saydi Renzo, who was tied for the top spot in the league’s goal scoring rankings with 25, along with NTL Player of the Year Alexis McRoberts, and her 18 goals. Giana Renzi brings back 15 goals, while, defensively, they have Jaylee Ward and Kylee Roy coming back.

“In closing out the 2024 season I would be remiss if I didn’t give credit where credit is due,” said Pratt. “The coaches that put countless hours into the program from the day we finish one season to the day w e start the next Tom Fritsch, Jared Renzo, Kristy Fecker, and ArycHughson.”

Print Friendly Version