SKYHAWK SOCCER CLAIMS FIRST PLACE IN OVC STANDINGS IN 3-1 VICTORY OVER RIVAL MURRAY STATE

Friday, October 5

Martin, Tenn.

7 P.M.

UT Martin

9-2-1 (4-0-1)

Murray State

8-3-1 (4-2)

Murray State

UT Martin

SKYHAWK SOCCER CLAIMS FIRST PLACE IN OVC STANDINGS IN 3-1 VICTORY OVER RIVAL MURRAY STATE

10/5/2018 10:00:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team pulled together for an all-out blitz against the defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Murray State Racers this evening by a 3-1 margin. Tonight's victory puts the Skyhawks in first place in the OVC and marks the first time UT Martin has defeated Murray State since Sept. 29, 2013 when the Skyhawks went on the road to claim a 2-1 win.

UT Martin (9-2-1, 4-0-1 OVC) put together one of its best outings of the season as both sides of the ball excelled tonight. Leading the way for the Skyhawk offense was the trio of Skylor Keane, Danae Kaldaridou and Amy McGivern as all three notched a goal apiece. Tallying assists in the bout were Sara Ketis, Samantha Kelly and McGivern. Also finding the shot column were Katelyn Colvin, Alice Adams, Kelly and Ketis.

The UT Martin defense was superb yet again as Kaci Mitchell thwarted the Murray State front line. Mitchell was also joined by fellow defender Jacalyn Schubring and midfielder Kaldaridou in logging a full day's work on the pitch.

Goalkeeper Erica Myers stood tall tonight as she compiled another 90 minutes between the posts and tallied four saves. The only blemish on her record came on a penalty kick by the Racers.

"We had fantastic support here tonight," head coach Phil McNamara said. "We give Murray State a ton of respect for what they have done over the last several years. We knew that tonight was going to be difficult and you could sense the importance of this game in the air. The nerves showed some but scoring first and getting that second goal before halftime helped us settle down and we were able to squeak out the big win. Kaci was absolutely fantastic this evening. To me, she has been the best player in the league so far this season. I have been around the conference for some time now and her level of play has been outstanding so far. Several other individuals stepped up in the second half to push us to the next level. We are heading into the next game in good shape but we are going to continue to improve and get better over the next few weeks as we look forward."

The Skyhawks would get on the board first as Keane found the back of the net at the 20:56 mark on a pass from McGivern for an uncontested shot. Kaldaridou would give UT Martin a cushion going into the intermission as she netted the second Skyhawk goal in the 44^th minute on a quick touch from Kelly. Shortly out of the halftime break, Kayla Travis was able to muster Murray State's lone goal that came on a penalty swing. UT Martin would issue the final blow in the contest with 82:07 on the clock as McGivern received a pass from Ketis to connect for a close goal.

The Skyhawks head to Jacksonville State to take on the Gamecocks on Sunday, Oct. 7. First touch is scheduled for 1 p.m.