The Spartans had plenty of pressure and possession in the attacking half, but couldn’t quite find the back of the net. And when Troy’s Alexis McRoberts scored an improbable goal from a long-range free kick with just under six minutes remaining, Hughesville found themselves out of the postseason, falling 1-0 to the Trojans in a stunning upset at Loyalsock on Monday evening.

“We had some breakaways, some shots. I mean, we had probably 80 crosses that we just didn’t put away, and kudos to them for taking the ball out of air, not making any mistakes,” Hughesville coach Cody Hack said.

Early in the game, Hughesville had a call not go their way that would’ve changed the whole match. Hughesville’s Kat Temple broke free behind the Troy defense in the early stages of the match and was tripped from behind by a Trojan defender while on a breakaway. Hughesville’s bench implored for a straight red card for a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity, but only a foul was given, and the free kick turned out to be harmless.

Ten minutes into the match, it was McRoberts who got behind the defense, as she had a 1-on-1 with the Spartan keeper. But McRoberts missed wide, and it seemed like a golden chance to get an early lead had passed Troy by.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Kat Temple (40) connects with a header around Troy's Kyah Renzo (9) during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.

Freshman Troy goalkeeper Izzy Renzi is in her first year as a goalkeeper, but she didn’t play like it during the biggest game of her career. With just under five minutes left in the half, a Hughesville shot from outside of the penalty area looked destined for the top corner of the goal. But Renzi was able to just get enough of it to tip it over the bar. And three minutes later, she got down to make a diving save, pulling one out of the right corner of the goal.

“I definitely knew what I had to bring, and I feel like I brought it,” Izzy Renzi said.

Troy nearly scored right at the buzzer to end the first half. After earning a corner with less than fifteen seconds remaining, the Trojans hustled to take it. The corner kick ended up finding its way to Gianna Renzi, who beat the Hughesville keeper with a close range shot. But a Spartan defender was there to clear the ball off the goal line right as the clock hit zeroes to preserve the tie.

Troy had two more golden chances to score in the second half. Midway through the half, the Spartan keeper spilled the ball in front of goal, and McRoberts looked like she was right there to poke it in. But, McRoberts hesitated for just a split second, and the keeper was able to cover the ball. Then, at the ten-minute-to-go mark, McRoberts found herself all alone with the keeper. She fired a rocket that was somehow held on to preserve the tie.

But McRoberts would have the last laugh, coming from an unlikely opportunity. McRoberts had a free kick near the left football sideline some 40 yards from goal, and decided to put a shot on goal. Her attempt bounced once, went over Kalia Hack’s head, and bounced again before creeping into the net, giving Troy a 1-0 lead with 5:52 remaining in the match.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Kat Temple (40) collides with Troy goal keeper Isabella Renzi during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.

“We don’t want a lot of ball bounce in the box, ever. It’s tough because on our grass field it usually just skips rather than bounces,” coach Hack said. “Nonetheless, we’ve got to take the ball out of the air and make the play.”

From there, the Trojan defense was able to preserve the lead and clinch the biggest win in program history, advancing to their first district title appearance and clinching their first state tournament appearance in program history.

“This group of seniors has been fantastic for us. They really set a foundation for the style we want to play, and hopefully that continues into next year. Obviously, it’s not the way anybody wants to end the season,” coach Hack said. “We had some high hopes for where we wanted to be, and unfortunately, that’s soccer. That’s life. Sometimes you come up on the short end of the stick.”

Troy 1 Hughesville 0

T–Alexis McRoberts, 5:52.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Sierra Dewire (31) reaches for the ball around Troy's Mallory Chamberlain 5) and Kyah Renzo (9) during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.

Shots: T 8, H 8. Corners: T 2, H 10. Saves: T 98, H 7 (Kalia Hack).

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Troy's Saydi Renzo (8) and Hughesville's Carsdyn McGinley (7) battle for possession of the ball during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Elizabeth Wolfe (11) moves the ball past Troy's Zyra Hughson (19) during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Kylie Temple (6) brings the ball downfield during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Avery Puderbach (13) blocks Troy's Alexis McRoberts (34) during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville goalie Kalia Hack (00) blocks a shot by Troy's Alexis McRoberts (34) during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Troy's Saydi Renzo (8) and Hughesville's Carly Converse (25) battle for possession of the ball during the District 4 Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Loyalsock on Monday. Troy won 1-0.