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SOCCER TEAM BATTLES BUT FALLS 2-0 IN SEASON OPENER AGAINST VANDERBILT

August 17, 2012

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MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team traded blows with visiting Vanderbilt under the lights tonight at Skyhawk Field, but the Commodores came up with a pair of goals in a span of 6:17 late in the second half to come away with a 2-0 win.

The Skyhawks outshot Vanderbilt for a majority of the match until the Commodores’ first goal was scored. A total of nine UT Martin players attempted at least one shot this evening, led by two shots apiece by Dominika Conc, Alyssa Curtis, Ashley Reveiz and Midori Sera. The Skyhawks put three of their 13 attempts on goal but couldn’t convert their chances.

Sophomore Mariah Klenke tallied a career-best 11 saves tonight, logging all 90 minutes in goal. She made eight straight saves to begin the match before the Commodore offense broke through in the 75^th and 82^nd minutes.

Conc got the offense going, attempting the first shot of the match at the 3:17 mark. Klenke then made four saves in a span of 25:13.

UT Martin had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the 35^th minute, but Vanderbilt goalkeeper Alexa Levick kept the match scoreless. After Midori Sera drew a foul in the box, Hannah McGowen took a penalty kick at the 34:29 mark but Levick made a full-extension diving save to her right to deflect the shot past the end line.

The Skyhawks then unleashed a barrage of shots, firing the last five shots of the first half. At the break, UT Martin held a 10-5 advantage in the shots category.

Klenke made back-to-back saves in a span of 2:54 to open the second half, followed by another close call by the Skyhawk offense. Off a corner kick at the 55:54 mark, Hannah McGowen delivered a picture-perfect pass to a streaking Jaclyn Heckle for a header. Just as the ball appeared to sneak in the goal, Levick emerged to block the shot at the last second.

Melisa Erturk created some space at the 67:32 mark and fired an accurate shot but once again Levick snared the save.

Klenke stopped her eighth straight shot at the 73:38 mark but under 90 seconds later the Commodores went on top 1-0 off a goal by Ashley Oswald. Two more saves were added to Klenke’s total before Lina Granados scored off a deflected save at the 81:14 mark to make the score 2-0 in Vanderbilt’s favor.

UT Martin had its last chance to get on the scoreboard in the 86^th minute, but Curtis’ lofted attempt from 25 yards out grazed the crossbar.

The Skyhawks will now hit the road for five straight matches, beginning with a pair of dates at the Bulldog Classic in Starkville, Miss. UT Martin will play host Mississippi State on Friday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m., followed by a matchup against Mississippi Valley State on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m.

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