After a relatively disappointing season in which the Skyhawks’ win percentage decline for a second-straight season, UTM’s soccer squad managed to punch their ticket for a semifinals matchup against No. 2 Southern Illinois – Edwardsville (SIUE), but the game was a dud for the orange-and-blue in a 0-2 defeat in Edwardsville.
The volume of shots UTM took compared to SIUE paints a different picture. The Skyhawks poured on 16 total shots, with eight on target. On the other hand, the Cougars recorded a mere eight shots with five on target. However, SIUE’s goalkeeper Taylor Spiller was lights-out, blanking the Skyhawks every step of the way.
The Skyhawk forward duo of senior Jill Hildreth (3) and OVC Freshman of the Year Emely Van der Vliet (2) combined for five shots on goal and 10 total shots, with Hildreth alone nearly outshooting the opposing team herself. Outside of that tandem, there weren’t many signs of life from the Skyhawks’ offense.
In net, senior Erica Meyers backstopped the Skyhawks for all 90 minutes of play, making three saves on five shots-on-goal. Protecting UTM’s half of the field, defenders Mia Castaldo (sophomore), Kamryn Chappell (senior) and Jacalyn Schubring (senior) stood tall and remained in the game throughout all 90 minutes.
The Cougars pounced early as OVC Forward of the Year MacKenzie Litzsinger shot one past Meyers to put SIUE up 1-0 in the second minute. The next eight shots came from UTM, but Spiller stonewalled every shot that was on target. Meyers contributed some saves of her own, but UTM’s defense collapsed once again in the 62nd minute, as SIUE forward Lily Schneiders extended the Cougars’ lead to 2-0.
The Skyhawks didn’t register a shot-on-goal in the second half until the 72nd minute, with Meyers making another save minutes after. Senior forward Jaden Hildreth had a promising scoring opportunity in the 79th minute, but Spiller cam up big again.
With the win, the Cougars will advance the tournament finals against No. 4 Southeast Missouri.
Photo Credit / Sports Information
