UTM SOCCER TANGLES WITH MURRAY STATE IN SUNDAY AFTERNOON SHOWDOWN AT SKYHAWK FIELD

Sunday, October 17

Martin, Tenn.

2:00 PM

UT Martin

Murray State

UTM SOCCER TANGLES WITH MURRAY STATE IN SUNDAY AFTERNOON SHOWDOWN AT SKYHAWK FIELD

10/16/2021 10:43:00 AM | Soccer

Murray State Live Stats

MARTIN, Tenn. – Over the course of what's been a highly impressive 2021 campaign, the University of Tennessee at Martin soccer squad has already crossed off two opponents who were selected higher than the Skyhawks in the preseason Ohio Valley Conference projections. On Sunday afternoon in friendly territory, UTM will have the chance to make it a trifecta when they host the defending OVC regular season champion Murray State Racers at 2:00 p.m., aiming to keep their place atop the league standings with just three matches left on the fall schedule.

Chosen to finish in 4^th place back in August by league officials, the Skyhawks have exceeded expectations in a big way thanks to their 8-4-1 overall record, seizing a conference resume matched only by another surprising overachiever, Belmont, at 4-1. Southeast Missouri and SIUE - two of the three schools placed higher than UT Martin in those preseason rankings – were both vanquished by the navy and orange on the road, by final scores of 1-0 and 4-1 respectively. The one-goal victory over the Cougars nearly one week ago granted the Skyhawks a seven-day rest to prepare for the current 4^th-place holder in the conference standings and arguably the most successful soccer program in the league historically.

In a contest that will undoubtedly hint at major postseason implications, UTM will look to slow down the most efficient offense in the Ohio Valley Conference with the aid of their own league-best defensive unit. At 8-6 overall following a 3-2 win over SIUE last Thursday, the Racers will visit Martin touting 26 total goals on the year, better than all other institutions in the OVC this semester. While the Skyhawks aren't much further behind them with 23 strikes of their own over the past two months, it's the other side of the field where head coach Phil McNamara's group has thrived, surrendering only 13 goals in as many matches on their quest for a fifth OVC regular season crown in the past 13 seasons.

Continuing to showcase their increasing depth as the season has rolled along, UTM's tight win over SIUE last weekend was highlighted by a first-time goal from true freshman Izzy Patterson in the 65^th minute, cashed in via a first-time assist from Sophia Mankowski for good measure. In total, six different players have been represented by the OVC's weekly awards slate already, as Erica Myers, Jill Hildreth, Bella Roberts, Maria Castaldo, Kamryn Chappell, and Brooke Kala have all separately grabbed the spotlight to be declared either the Goalkeeper, Offensive Player, or Defensive Player of the Week in 2021.

No slouches themselves despite only being two games over .500, Murray State brings a dazzling offensive array with them to Sunday's matinee, as 12 different Racers have found the back of the net at least one time this season for 4^th-year head coach Matt Lodge's group. All three of MSU's scores over SIUE were poured in over the opening half, giving the visitors from Kentucky a 3-2 conference mark, just one point behind Tennessee Tech for 3^rd place in the OVC.

Not only will Sunday's battle with the Racers send a ripple effect throughout the conference no matter the result, but so too will the Skyhawks' penultimate date on the schedule just four days later against Belmont – the team they find themselves tied with at the top of the league standings – meaning these next two contests loom as important as they come for coach McNamara and co. A 1^st or 2^nd place finish in the OVC regular season automatically translates to a double BYE in the league tournament, wherein only two victories are necessary to capture the conference's postseason trophy.

With her impending 79^th appearance at keeper for UTM on Sunday, fifth-year standout Erica Myers enters Sunday's bout with a chance to become the all-time school leader in career shutouts, albeit faced with the toughest offense in the league statistically speaking. Should the Skyhawks pull off a sizable feat and hold the Racers scoreless for 90 minutes or more, Myers would grab her 39^th victory and 22^nd shutout, which would surpass Mariah Klenke (2011-14) for the most among all goalkeepers in the 23-year history of the program.

In a series that dates back to the new millennium, the Racers have earned the majority of bragging rights over UT Martin by winning 16 of the 24 meetings all-time, including each of the past three. A 2-1 overtime final at Skyhawk Field back in March gave Murray State an 8-4 record when traveling to UTM since 2000, with payback now on the minds of the home squad at the conclusion of the weekend. Furthermore, the Skyhawks will hope to undo the improbable upset at the hands of Tennessee Tech the last time they competed in their own backyard, giving Sunday's tussle even more significance.

First touch with the Racers is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in UT Martin's first home appearance in 10 days.