VARGA ERA GETS UNDERWAY WITH UT MARTIN SOCCER'S FIRST PRACTICE OF 2023
8/1/2023 3:29:00 PM | Soccer
MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team officially began the Mike Varga era this morning with preseason training at Skyhawk Field.
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UT Martin is coming off an injury-riddled season in 2022. Despite those key injuries, the Skyhawks advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Quarterfinals, ultimately falling to Morehead State in a shootout.
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A total of 10 returners grace UT Martin's 2023 roster. That list includes seven returning starters Catey Hunt (18 matches started), Makayla Robinson (18), Poppy Bastock (18), Shayla Addington (17), Izzy Patterson (16), Brooke Kala (16) and Abbie McHenry (13). Also returning is 2021 OVC Freshman of the Year Parker Gelinas, Nyeemah Prescod-Beckles and Allie Buchmann.
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Four of the 17 newcomers are transfers, including Jenny Enriquez (Northwest Mississippi CC), Malaesha Liddell (Northwest Mississippi CC), Olivia Magnusson (East Central) and Caroline Moore (Oral Roberts). Thirteen freshmen will additionally push for playing time under Varga, who was hired as Skyhawk head coach on June 5.
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On Aug. 12, UT Martin will travel to take on Southern Illinois for its first and only exhibition match before beginning the season on the road at Austin Peay on Aug. 17.
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