UTM SOCCER AND OVC-BEST DEFENSE CLOSE THREE-GAME HOME STAND SUNDAY VS. WESTERN CAROLINA

MARTIN, Tenn. – One could make a compelling argument that the University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team is perhaps the most dangerous squad on both sides of the ball throughout all of the Ohio Valley Conference with league competition nearing further. Soaring to 12 goals in six appearances while only giving up four (never more than one in a single outing), UTM carries their sizzling offense and best-in-the-OVC defense to their final home non-conference bout on Sunday afternoon, taking on the Western Carolina Catamounts at 1:00 p.m.

Of the nine soccer schools placed in the OVC, only a single competitor (preseason 2^nd-place projector Murray State) stands with more scores than UT Martin awaiting game #7 on the season for head coach Phil McNamara and co., and just by a margin of one. Consequently, there's no other roster in the league at the moment that can compare to the Skyhawk back line, speaking of a defensive unit that has allowed the fewest number of goals in the conference while every other future opponent sits at least two behind in that category.

Now that the UTM offense has found its rhythm and then some, it's been a scary scene for teams venturing into Skyhawk Field as of late, where the navy and orange has reeled off seven strikes in the opening half alone in their past two outings (back-to-back 4-1 blowouts over North Alabama and Wright State).

Five different jerseys have gathered at least a pair of goals for Coach McNamara's troops, led by three each from seniors Bella Roberts and Jill Hildreth. Coincidentally, the two in-state prospects have copied each other over the past 14 days to each be named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week (this coming after graduate keeper Erica Myers was tabbed the league's goalie of the week once the first two matches were complete). Emely van der Vliet, Jaden Hildreth, and Makayla Robinson have each recorded two scores to their individual tallies in 2021, while nine of the Skyhawks' 12 strikes this fall have resulted from an assist.

The Catamounts will take their turn at trying to slow down the UTM scoring train this weekend, currently holding a 3-3-1 overall record following a 1-0 defeat to Liberty on Thursday evening in the Tar Heel State. Representing the Southern Conference, Western Carolina has put up seven goals on the year but has been blanked in their last two trips, falling victim to a scoreless tie against Longwood before losing to the Flames.

Under the direction of 12^th-year head coach Chad Miller – an old adversary of McNamara when both roamed the NCAA Division II ranks with Catawba and Carson-Newman, respectively – Western Carolina has amassed a 3-1 record all-time against the Skyhawks that includes a 5-4 shootout win in 2019. Thus far, the only occasion where UTM was able to topple the Catamounts was in the only meeting to take place in Martin, a 2-1 decision in 2018.

Outshooting the other side 75-38 – mainly thanks to a 42-10 difference in shot attempts over the past two home matches – the Skyhawks have bested the opposition by a combined score of 10-3 since August 29^th, closing a three-game home stand against WCU in the penultimate non-conference tussle on the schedule. It will be another full week before UTM returns to play after facing the Catamounts, visiting Arkansas in Fayetteville to open the door to the OVC race.

Sunday's meeting in Martin will see its first touch at approximately 1:00, where the event can be found via live stream courtesy of ESPN+.

UTM SOCCER AND OVC-BEST DEFENSE CLOSE THREE-GAME HOME STAND SUNDAY VS. WESTERN CAROLINA

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Players Mentioned

Jaden Hildreth

Jill Hildreth

Erica Myers

Bella Roberts

Makayla Robinson

Emely van der Vliet