One day is all that separates Troy soccer teams from competing amongst some of the best around the state.

One of those teams is the 9-and-under girls team.

In preparation for the trek to Andalusia, the team has been working on the fundamentals of the game, according to head coach Shane Calhoun, but most importantly, the team has been having fun.

“That’s what its all about,” Calhoun said. “All these girls are having a fun times and that’s really the most important thing.

“With this age group, we are trying to teach them about how to play the proper defense, how to pass in the open field and how to play with each other, and so far, so good.”

The girls squad is made up of Raylen Barnes, Nicole Barron, Hannah Calhoun, Maori Davenport, Sydni Garrett, Ragan Hudson, Niaira Jones, Ajaylla May, Jessica Murphy, Abigale Norman, Kaley O’Donnell, Montserrat Ramirez, Ava Smolcic and Trinity Thomas.

In the first round, the Troy team will take on Andalusia at 9:30 Saturday morning.

“We will be up against some really good competition,” Calhoun said.

“But one thing that has really come together for us the past couple of days is how well the team is playing with one another. And that is key for a team like this. We have a great core group of girls, a lot of which had played in on tournament teams before.”

Hannah Calhoun, Barnes, May, Ramirez and Garrett were five members on this year’s team that were a part of last year’s tournament team.

“Those girls will definitely help the others with what will happen on Saturday,” Calhoun said.

“But all the girls are really excited about what’s to come this weekend. They are all looking forward to playing. It’s going to a lot of run to watch the girls play. They have worked so hard lately, hopefully, things will work out on Saturday,” the coach said.