Skyhawks soccer is even through one week of conference play

Skyhawk soccer went 1-1 this weekend in matchups against Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) and University of Southern Indiana (USI) as the Skyhawks kicked off their conference schedule. Moving to 2-5-3, the Skyhawks now sit at fifth in the OVC and are set to face Tennessee Tech in Martin on Sept. 29. 

SIUE: Away

The Skyhawks played SIUE in Edwardsville on Sunday, Sept. 22, where they beat the Panthers 2-1. In a defensive game, the Skyhawks were able to outlast the Panthers until back-to-back Skyhawks goals in the 49^th and 51^st minute by sophomore Peyton Cook and senior Makayla Robinson respectively. The Panthers would respond to this scoring flurry by the Skyhawks with a goal of their own in the 51^st minute from senior Kaitlyn Nichols off of a free kick. That would be the only goal allowed by Skyhawk goalkeeper Mac Titus, who saved nine goals on the day to Panthers’ one. The Skyhawks held the Panthers to just two shots on goal in the final 37 minutes to secure a conference win on the road. 

USI: Away

The Skyhawks fell to USI 4-1 in Evansville on Thursday, Sept. 26. The Eagles got off to a quick start, scoring goals in the 14^th and 21^st minutes by juniors Peyton Murphy and Emerson Grafton respectively. This was followed by a last second goal later in the half for USI from senior Adriana Berruti to put the Eagles up 3-0 in the first half. In the first half alone, the Eagles were able to put up 13 shots on goal, four more than the Skyhawks attempted in the entire match. Going into the second half, the Skyhawks made a change of goalkeeper from usual starter senior Mac Titus, who has played well for the Skyhawks this season, to sophomore Jordyn Riffle. Despite the change, Eagles junior Charli Grafton managed to score USI’s fourth and final goal of the match in the 63^rd minute. A 4-0 deficit was simply too much for the Skyhawks to overcome, despite their best efforts. The Skyhawks did respond however, with the first and only goal for the Skyhawks coming from sophomore Caroline Moore in the 72^nd minute of the match.  

The Skyhawks’ next week will include a home game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. and a trip to Little Rock, Arkansas to play the Trojans on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.