MARTIN, Tenn.- In a physical back-and-forth battle, the University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team finished with a 1-1 draw against the Little Rock Trojans in the Ohio Valley Conference home opener.
After being away from Skyhawk Field for three weeks, UT Martin’s offense fired 12 shots on the day with four on goal. Freshman Peyton Cook scored her first collegiate goal while leading the team in shots (four). Izzy Patterson (three), Jordan Bailey (two), Makayla Robinson (one), Maren Cain (one) and Rachel Okoro (one) each contributed to the offensive attack.
Cook blistered two shots on goal followed by Cain and Robinson, who each ripped a shot towards the net.
Sophomore Poppy Bastock held the game-high in saves with five while the Skyhawks saw 90-minute performances from Joelle Stinson, Catey Hunt, Gwen Walters, Shayla Addington, Bastock and Patterson.
The first half saw stellar defense as well as quality offensive opportunities produced from both sides. The Skyhawks held the Trojans (first in the OVC in goals scored) to just four shots in the opening half where UT Martin was able to get seven chances off.
It only took 12 minutes after halftime for the Skyhawks to be rewarded for their pressure as Cook beat Trojan goalkeeper Marie Cimatti to put the orange and blue on the board. Not more than three minutes later the equalizer was delivered by Mykena Turner to knot the match at one.
Both squads couldn’t break the tie for the remainder of the contest and came away with a point apiece for the conference standings.
“Our overall effort and team defending was very good today,” said UT Martin head coach Mike Varga. “It was good to see Peyton’s hard work pay off with a goal. We did a much better job creating quality chances while we were in possession. It’s disappointing to only come away with one point but this is definitely something to build on moving forward.”
The Skyhawks will have a second straight home match next Sunday, Oct. 1 when they host Western Illinois at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
