SOCCER TEAM SCORES TWICE IN FIRST HALF TO RECORD CLEAN SHEET AGAINST MOREHEAD STATE
MARTIN, Tenn. – Sophomore Alyssa Curtis and junior Abi Sanvee scored goals outside the box in the first 35 minutes of the match to lead The University of Tennessee at Martin to a 2-0 victory over Morehead State tonight at Skyhawk Field.
The UT Martin victory combined with overtime losses by Southeast Missouri and Jacksonville State leaves the Skyhawks atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings with a 4-1-1 league worksheet and a 7-5-3 overall record.
“We challenged our team this week to refocus and defend,” McNamara said. “We did not want to lose two in a row.”
The Skyhawks answered this past Sunday’s 1-0 loss at SIU Edwardsville with their third shutout of the season. “This was a professional effort tonight,” McNamara said. “We knew Morehead State was going to be dangerous. We knew they were going to work hard and fight us and they did it.”
Although down 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the match, Morehead State battled the Skyhawks throughout the match. The Skyhawks outshot Morehead State 14-8 in the match and 6-4 in the second half.
Sophomore goalkeeper Mariah Klenke had five saves in the match. “I had the save at the beginning of the second half and then the three corners. Other than that I was able to see everything.”
Sanvee and Klenke said tonight’s defensive effort mirrored the extra time the team spent in the classroom this week.
“I had to get my job done defensively first and then concentrate offensively,” Sanvee said. “I had to pressure the ball and push toward the defense.”
Curtis scored 29 seconds into the match off an assist by Saphy Coombs-James, while Sanvee scored off an assist from Kendyl Wilson. Savnee took the pass from the right flank and scored from 15 yards out.
“I am happy with the clean sheet (shutout),” McNamara said. “When you get a clean sheet, you don’t lose."
The Skyhawks return to action at 1 p.m. Sunday when they host Eastern Kentucky.