This past weekend the Trojan girls soccer team traveled to Combs High School to compete in the Ironwood Tournament with 19 other teams. Each team started the tournament with 3 guaranteed games and depending upon pool play results, teams could continue through to the championship bracket.
In their first pool play game the Trojans took on Florence High School. This game ended with a close 3-2 win. Sophomore Layla Heller scored 1 goal and had 1 assist and Sophomore Abigail Stipp led the team with 2 goals and 1 assist. One of Abigail's goals was scored by a well-placed header. On Friday the Trojans were expected to play Casa Grande High School, but unfortunately due to a late arrival, the Trojans were awarded a forfeit and won 1-0. After this forfeit, they had one more pool play game against ALA-West Foothills. This game was hard fought throughout its entirety. Our girls finished the game 2-1 with an impressive win. Sophomore Abigail Stipp scored the first goal and Junior Makayla Rosscup added a second of her own. When asked about the game Makayla Rosscup commented, "I felt that I played well and I'm happy about scoring a goal as a defender."
Saturday was the start of the championship bracket. The Trojans had finished first in their pool with 3 wins, so they were scheduled to play the #6 spot, ALA West Foothills, who the girls had already played the day before. The quarterfinal game started out with an immediate push by ALA and they scored a goal in the first 2 minutes. Our girls did not let down, their intense grit and determination allowed them to immediately score an equalizing goal with a spectacular long shot by Junior Faith Dibley. Sophomores Peyton Shoffner, Layla Heller, and Abigail Stipp also contributed goals in their 4-2 win over West Foothills.
The next game was the semifinal round versus West Point High School. This game was hard fought 3-0 loss. Overall, the Trojans played their hearts out in adverse conditions, winning 4 out of 5 of their games in the pouring rain. Abigail Stipp led the team this weekend with 4 goals, Layla Heller with 2 goals, Makayla Rosscup, Peyton Shoffner, and Faith Dibley all scored 1 goal. Junior Faith Dibley stated, "I felt everyone was able to find a groove and play well as a team."
Overall, the girls team played an amazing tournament to kick off their season. This Tuesday, December 6th, our girls will have their first home game of the season against Highland Prep High School. Come out to support our girls at 4pm at Benson Field.
