The University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team’s defensive unit stole the show this afternoon, shutting out Middle Tennessee and forcing a 0-0 double overtime scoreless tie.
Freshman Ellie Myrick led the way for the Skyhawks (0-1-1) with five shots – three of which were on goal. Aoife Lennon, Dominika Conc, Alyssa Curtis and Michelle Calmeyn also recorded two shot attempts each for UT Martin.
Junior Mariah Klenke once again proved to be a force in goal, recording her first shutout on the season and ninth of her career. Klenke recorded nine saves on the afternoon in all 110 minutes, giving her 16 on the season.
Lennon fired the Skyhawks’ first shot of the day at the 6:55 mark, but her shot was saved by Kelsey Brouwer. The Skyhawks would tally three consecutive shots off the feet of Curtis and Conc while a header by Jaclyn Heckle was also saved at the 22:43 mark.
At the 33:42 mark, Calmeyn tallied the final shot of the first half that nearly proved to be the difference before Brouwer recorded the save. UT Martin would hold a 5-3 advantage in the shot column going into the break.
The Skyhawks opened the second half with a trio of shot attempts within six minutes. Senior Hannah McGowen got the second period started with a shot at the 51:07 mark which was blocked. Conc responded with a shot of her own just 27 seconds later that sailed just right of the post. Myrick almost broke the match open with a header at the 56:55 mark off an assist from McGowen, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar, leaving the match scoreless.
Klenke saw three consecutive shots come her way over the span of three minutes. Middle Tennessee’s 2012 Freshman of the Year tallied one of her team-high five shots at the 62:43 mark, sailing wide right.
At the 73:56 mark of regulation, Myrick posted the Skyhawks final shot of regulation.
Klenke tallied four saves in the overtime periods, clinching the shutout with her final save of the game at the 109:46 mark.
“A lot of our chances fell to freshman today, but I’m delighted that the likes of Aoife, Ellie and Michelle have started to create opportunities for themselves,” said UT Martin head soccer coach Phil McNamara. “We grew a lot this weekend at the forward position despite how young we are at those spots.”
“Putting back-to-back performances the way we did, the work rate of the girls and our style of play is starting to create many more opportunities for us,” McNamara continued. “We had the more dangerous opportunities and higher possessions on the day. I have to give my girls the credit as they really dug in deep against a fresh opponent and competed until the end. I think this performance today and against Oklahoma State will help us in the long run.”
UT Martin will now shift their focus to the road as they embark on a four-game road tilt which will begin at Evansville next weekend. The matchup with the Purple Aces is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30.
