TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Troy soccer ties against Georgia Southern in a 1-1 draw.

It was a hard-fought game between the Trojans and Eagles. The first goal was scored off a beautiful freekick by Elsa Stedman and headed in by true freshman Isabella Hartofelis to give Troy a 1-0 lead.

“It was a great freekick by Elsa, me and Elsa worked on it this season,” said Head Coach Stuart Gore. “Bella made a great run, timed it perfectly and didn’t really have to do much just let it hit her in the head. Overall a great goal, great set piece goal.”

Hartofelis, even as true freshman, has been a cornerstone for Gore and the team’s midfield as she has played every minute of the season thus far.

“She’s come in, she’s owned it,” Gore told TrojanVision. “I think it’s the fruits of the labor of coming in in January. If you come in early you can make yourself a starting spot which is great to see.

“She’s getting slowly out of club ball and into college soccer.”

The score was still 1-0 going well into the second half, but a rough tackle from Troy gave Georgia Southern a chance to equalize with a penalty kick that they promptly converted. Gore attributes the mishap to fatigue.

“It’s tight legs. I think we didn’t get back from Norfolk until Friday afternoon, and then, obviously, we have the game against the team that shall not be named. I get it. We want to support Coach [Gerad] Parker and all those guys, and then to come and play against a team, both teams are fighting for their first win and the typical Sun Belt game, it ends up in a tie.”

The Trojans next face Georgia State on the road at the GSU Soccer Complex where they hope to produce a win.