On Monday, Troy U14 Indoor Soccer eliminated Montgomery U14 Yellow 6-2 in the Montgomery U14 Indoor Tournament semi-final. After a 2-2 halftime score, Troy put 4 goals on Montgomery while recording a rare second-half shutout by Hunter Kennedy in goal with 12 saves, and with heroic defending by Tanner Dansby at center back. Troy was led by midfielder Scott McLendon with three goals and two assists, bringing his league-leading total to 25 goals.

“We have had great support from Troy folks during this run,” said Coach Doug McLendon of both teams.

“The kids feed off the energy during the game. After the tie with (Montgomery) Yellow on Saturday, we got Tanner back and it made a huge difference in the playoff, taking a lot of pressure off Hunter, and allowing Scott to roam more freely into the attack and take shots. We get Alex Goerke and James McNeill back for the final, so we should be at full strength for the final, so we’re very optimistic about our chances for the title.” In the final at 1 p.m. Saturday, Troy will face Thursday’s winner of Montgomery Red vs. Orange.

On Tuesday, Troy U18 Indoor Soccer exacted its revenge on Montgomery U18 Yellow after a two-game slide that had seen Troy slip into a second-place league finish. In the tournament semi-final, Troy crushed Montgomery Yellow 14-5. Troy was led in scoring by forward Douglas McLendon (five goals), midfielder Andrew Bentley (two goals), midfielder Josh Taylor (two goals), and midfielder Mitchell Payne (3 goals).

Goalkeeper Stephen Pearlstein kept Montgomery in check with 14 saves. Troy will a face Montgomery U18 Red in the tournament final tonight at 8:15 at the YMCA Indoor Soccer field at Browns Ferry Road in Montgomery.

“The U18’s have struggled down the stretch in the season, including losing twice to Montgomery Yellow (U18). They have really crushed us in games where we had no substitutes available,” McLendon said.

“Tonight, we had reserves available, so I could keep everyone fresh. We got our shooting boots out and lit up the scoreboard. It was really a huge statement tonight that we intend to defend our title and bring home a championship. Montgomery Red is a great opponent so we have to be focused and ready to play Thursday night for the final.”