UTM soccer soars to 1-0 triumph over Eastern Illinois in season opener

Emely van der Vliet found the back of the net in the 31^st minute and the UTM’s defense shut out the Eastern Illinois Panthers for a 1-0 victory to kickstart the 2020-21 campaign at Skyhawk Field.
           
A freshman out of Rosmalen, Netherlands, van der Vliet received a pass from Hendrikje Baurmann and scooted a shot from 15 yards out that was true. That provided UTM with a lead it would not concede the rest of the way as the stingy Skyhawk defense only allowed three five shots for the contest.
           
Erica Myers accounted for her 14^th career shutout this evening, making three saves in goal. UTM’s defensive quartet of Maria Castaldo, Jacalyn Schubring, Kamryn Chappell and Kiarnie Latham all played 90 minutes to extend the Panthers’ scoreless streak to 373:49 in the all-time series against the two Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) rivals.
           
The Skyhawks placed 11 of their 19 shot attempts on goal tonight, led by Lotte Koot and Jill Hildreth’s three shots apiece. Alice Adams joined van der Vliet with a team-high two shots on goal.

Adams and Koot each peppered Eastern Illinois goalkeeper Daniela Bermeo with shots on goal in the first 3:23. Myers scooped up her first save of the evening in the 13^th minute before Bella Roberts and van der Vliet came away with shots on goal in a seven-minute span.
           
The first goal of the 2020-21 campaign came via the right foot of van der Vliet, who found paydirt a little over 30 minutes into the contest. Hildreth (35^th minute) and Castaldo (41^st minute) also tacked on shots on goal before UTM took a 1-0 advantage into the intermission.
           
Myers collected back-to-back saves early in the second half, stopping Panther attempts in the 54^th and 55^th minutes.
           
Adams, Skylar Boes, Baurmann and Jaden Hildreth each did their part to add insurance goals for the Skyhawks with shots on goal but Bermeo made four saves to keep the score at 1-0.
           
Ultimately, the vaunted Skyhawk defense took care of business as Eastern Illinois could only manage one shot attempt over the final 32:50.
           
UTM goes on the road for its next outing, traveling to Music City for a Friday, March 5 matchup at Belmont. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.