By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team earned its first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season on Sunday afternoon after scoring an early goal and settling back on its defense to record a shutout road victory at Southern Indiana with a final score of 1-0.
The Skyhawks (3-7-4, 1-3-2 OVC) jumped into the win column and claimed three points in the league standings at an important point in the season. With just two matches to play, UT Martin now possesses five points and currently holds a three-point lead for one of the eight spots in the upcoming OVC Soccer Championship field.
UT Martin jumped out to an early lead as sophomore Izzy Patterson scored in her second straight game, this time in the 5th minute of the contest. With the Skyhawks hoping to strike early, Lynette Hawkins found Patterson on the left side of the goal who then kick a liner past the diving keeper and into the right corner of the goal.
With a lead in their pocket, the Skyhawks anchored down on the defensive end by allowing just six total shot attempts in the contest – including two on goal. The backline trio of Hawkins, Catey Hunt and Shayla Addington played a big role in the shutout effort by maintaining possession and shutting down the Screaming Eagles while each logging 90 minutes on the pitch.
Freshman goakpeer Poppy Bastock recorded her third shutout of the season between the pipes. Bastock tallied a key leaping save off a set piece to thwart a scoring opportunity for one of her two saves on the afternoon.
Southern Indiana (4-6-4, 0-4-2 OVC) dropped its fourth league contest in its debut season despite a strong afternoon defensively as well. The Screaming Eagles held the Skyhawks to just eight shot attempts while tallying five saves – including three in the second half by goalkeeper Maya Etienne.
UT Martin now heads into the final week of the regular season looking to clinch a berth in the OVC tournament field. The Skyhawks will open the week with a road matchup at SIUE on Thursday, Oct. 20 before closing out the year at home against Southeast Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information