GIRLS SOCCER: Troy downs Grosse Pointe South to claim ninth regional title
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
FRASER — Troy ventured through a slight postseason drought from 2006-2008, not winning a district title in girls soccer.
As a state powerhouse program hailing from a conference annually regarded as the state’s best, that three-year dry run was a low spot of a proud program not advancing to at least regional play.
Troy has more than made up for it.
The Colts advanced to their second straight Final Four, third in four years and for ninth time in two decades with a 1-0 shutout Friday over Grosse Pointe South in a Division 1 regional final at Fraser High School.
In fact, the one year in the past four seasons the Colts didn’t reach the Final Four was 2010, when they lost in the regional finals to Utica Eisenhower (3-2), one stage shy in the Elite Eight.
BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE AGAIN: Troy's Irene Young scored the game's only goal Friday, lifting the Colts to a 1-0 victory over Grosse Pointe South and into the Division 1 Final Four for the ninth time in 19 years. File Photo
In its fine 19-year run, Troy (18-2-3) has won now won nine regional trophies, finished as a regional runner-up twice and lost in the regional semifinals once. Ironically, it was Grosse Pointe South that knocked Troy out in the regional finals back in 1999 (3-0) and again in the regional semis in 2004 (1-0).
The payback came eight years later on Friday night with a one-goal decision over the unranked Blue Devils.
The eighth-ranked Colts scored a goal in the 62nd minute and held on for the victory.
Miss Soccer candidate Irene Young scored the game’s only goal with 18 minutes to go, as the Louisville signee volleyed in a cross from Jenn Busk. The Colts’ stingy defense made it stand.
Troy has now posted 17 shutouts on the year — the second straight season the Colts have reached that total — and have not allowed a goal in five postseason games.
Alison Holland notched four saves, as Troy posted its eighth straight shutout to help vault the Colts into the state semifinals fifth time in a decade.
Troy will play Plymouth Canton, honorable mention in the final regular season polls, in the state semifinals at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Farmington High School.
Anatasia Hamond made eight saves for unranked Grosse Pointe South.
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