By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
MOREHEAD, Ky. – The University of Tennessee at Martin posted its second straight shutout performance in the Ohio Valley Conference Soccer Championship but saw its season come to a close after coming up just short by a margin of 4-3 in penalty kicks as Morehead State advanced to the tournament semifinals in a 0-0 tie.
The Skyhawks wrap up the season with a 4-9-5 overall record while going 1-5-2 in league play.
UT Martin posted a valiant effort throughout the first two rounds of the OVC Soccer Championship by holding their opponents scoreless through 200 minutes of head-to-head action. After posting a thrilling 1-0 victory on Friday evening, the Skyhawks came back less than 48 hours later and got back to work against a fresh Eagles team on their home turf with an impressive defensive effort.
Several players came up with big performances in a test of stamina as three Skyhawks played all 110 minutes of today’s regulation and double-overtime matchup. The trio of Poppy Bastock, Catey Hunt and Shayla Addington played 110 minutes while Makayla Robinson, Ryann Mushkin and Brooke Kala also eclipsed 100 minutes. Meanwhile the trio of Izzy Patterson, Nyeemah Prescod-Beckles and Lynette Hawkins also saw over 90 minutes on the pitch.
Both teams had opportunities to take an advantage in regulation and the overtime periods before the match went to penalty kicks with the two squads combining for 35 total shot attempts. Morehead State narrowly outshot UT Martin by an 18-17 advantage but the Skyhawks made the Eagles sweat with nine shots on goal.
While the offenses fired off shot attempts at a high measure, both team’s goalkeepers were exceptional. UT Martin’s keeper Bastock recorded her second shutout of the weekend after tallying five saves on the afternoon. Meanwhile, fellow freshman Erin Gibbs had a big day in goal for Morehead State with nine saves in a shutout of her own.
After 90 minutes of regulation and two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods, the contest went to penalty kicks to determine who would advance to the OVC Championship semifinals next weekend. UT Martin would kick first in the alternating format with Hannah Zahn, Emma Elliott and Mushkin converting their attempts, but Morehead State found four successful attempts from Hadley Cytron, Kate Larbes, Erin Fite and Anna Lohrer to advance in the tournament field.
“Listen, somebody has to move forward in the tournament and win the game,” UT Martin head coach Phil McNamara said. “I thought the girls were incredible. We have been leaking goals all year and its been a rollercoaster season but the girls really dug in deep this weekend. To come here and have two clean sheets this weekend and to play another 110 minutes today after just playing Friday is credit to the players. I think everyone knows we were short some big-time players for us this season and we expect to be back at full strength next year, but I’m disappointed for the seniors. We put in a great effort today, but the season has come to an end.”
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information