By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team faced an early deficit with a goal just 90 seconds into the match before SIUE powered towards a 4-1 Ohio Valley Conference victory on Thursday night at Korte Stadium.
The Skyhawks fell to 3-8-4 overall while moving to 1-4-2 in league play with the setback. Despite the loss, UT Martin punched its ticket into next week’s eight-team OVC Soccer Championship regardless of Sunday’s final league results. Meanwhile, SIUE improved to 5-5-4 with the victory and 4-1-2 in OVC action to clinch a top-four seed in next week’s OVC Soccer Championship.
SIUE came out aggressive in the contest with its first goal coming less than 90 seconds into the match before putting all four of its goals on the scoreboard in the first half. Facing a three-goal deficit 14 minutes into the game, UT Martin scored its lone goal of the contest in the 20th minute to put the visitors on the board.
Following goal strikes by the host squad from Taylor Dolt (2’), Sidney Christopher (9’) and Matea Diekema (14’), it was time for the Skyhawks to get on the board. The Cougars attempted to reverse the field but Sophia Mankowski turned on the jets to beat the defender and set up a 1-on-1 opportunity which she cashed in on from 12 yards out to sail past the diving keeper for her second score of the season. Then the hosts added one final goal in the 30th minute to wrap the game’s scoring performances.
When the final tallies were counted, the Cougars outshot the Skyhawks 14-8 on the evening. Dolt led SIUE with three shots attempts while wrapping up her evening with a goal and an assist. Meanwhile, Izzy Patterson and Megan Drake paced the Skyhawks with two shots each.
UT Martin will look to solidify its seeding position when wrapping up the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 23 against Southeast Missouri. Action is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information