FRIDAY'S SCORES
@UT Martin 3, Eastern Illinois 1
@Southeast Missouri 0, SIUE 0
UT MARTIN 3, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1
MARTIN, Tenn. - Led by a powerful freshmen attack, the University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team defeated Eastern Illinois 3-1 in its first home match of the season.
UT Martin (3-6, 1-0 OVC) began Ohio Valley Conference play scoring performances by freshmen forwards Lisa Schmieder and Sierra Franz. Schmieder began her OVC career with a pair of goals while Franz added an insurance goal in the second half to boast both forwards into a tie for the team lead in goals scored with three. Fellow newcomers Maggie Burkett and goalkeeper MaKenzie Crawford added assists in the Skyhawk attack. In goal, Crawford made three saves to earn her second-career victory
The Skyhawks fired a season high 24 shots against Eastern Illinois (2-7-1, 0-1 OVC) while holding the Panthers to just two shots in the opening half. Eastern Illinois finished with 10 shots overall with Carrie Caplin getting the lone goal for the Panthers in their conference opener.
UT Martin came out aggressive in the opening half, firing two shots in the opening minutes. Both teams settled into a rhythm before Schmieder scored the opening goal. After an errant clearance by the Panthers just outside the 18-yard box, Schmieder took advantage and slotted past Panther keeper Maddie Lyon.
The Skyhawks didn’t settle for the lone goal in the first half, adding to their lead with a pair of goals in five minutes. Schmieder began the rally by chasing down a volley lofted over the Panthers defense from Burkett. The Elzach, Germany native tipped it past the rushing Lyon to give Schmieder her first career two goal performance.
Moments later the Skyhawks sealed the game with Franz. Off a goal kick by Crawford, Franz found space down the right side and fired a laser into the bottom left corner from 15 yards out.
Eastern Illinois prevented the clean sheet on a free kick goal in the 81st minute by Caplin. After a Skyhawk committed foul, the sophomore defender took the shot from 40-yard out and tucking the ball just inside the UT Martin crossbar.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 0, SIUE 0
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Two rock solid defenses made offense hard to come by in Friday's scoreless tie between Southeast Missouri and SIUE.
The Redhawks (5-3-2 overall) and Cougars (3-4-3 overall) begin Ohio Valley Conference play 0-0-1.
The Redhawks had seven players play all 110 minutes in the double overtime affair.
Southeast and SIUE each had three shots in the first half; the Redhawks put one on goal which came in the 14th minute by Natasha Minor.
Abby Klintworth nearly put the Redhawks on the board in the 58th minute. Paige Blankenheim crossed the ball right in front of the goal off a corner kick. Klintworth headed the ball for a shot but it hit off the crossbar.
Minor appeared to have a goal in the 96th minute but the goal was wiped away after being called offsides.
The Redhawks had five shots at the end of regulation while SIUE had nine.
Klintworth put another header shot on goal in the 95th minute but was saved by SIUE's Jennifer Pelley.
The Redhawks and Cougars played the remainder of the game to a draw in the first league match of the season.
Southeast finished with six shots in the match while SIUE had 10. The Redhawks put two shots on goal and the Cougars put three on goal. Southeast had three corner kick opportunities while SIUE only had one in the match.
Southeast had nine fouls called and were called offsides five times.
Klintworth led the Redhawks with three shots, one on goal.
Cassidy Sherman had three shots for the Cougars.
Kindra Lierz (4-3-2) played the complete 110 minutes in goal for Southeast. Lierz recorded three saves.
Pelley (3-4-2) also played the entire 110 minutes in goal, recording two saves.