LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– The University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team didn’t allow a shot on goal for the entirety of the second half but a score in the 31st minute proved to be the difference as Little Rock earned the win, 1-0.
Peyton Cook had a team-best three shots with a match-high two shots on goal for the Skyhawks. Makayla Robinson, Izzy Patterson and Anna Østergaard Ibsen had two shots apiece while Brooke Kala (one shot on goal) and Nyeemah Prescod-Beckles (one shot) also contributed to the UT Martin offense.
Goalkeeper Mac Titus faced 13 shots and made two saves for the Skyhawks (2-7-3, 1-3 OVC). Titus played the full 90 minutes alongside teammates Maren Cain, Patterson, Parker Gelinas and Kala.
Titus swatted away a pair of Trojan shot on goal opportunities in the 9th minute and 13th minute. Kala fired a shot on goal in the 21st minute but Trojan goalkeeper Peyton Urban was there for the save to keep the match knotted in a scoreless tie.
Little Rock (6-5-2, 3-0-1 OVC) would break through and score the eventual game-winning goal in the 30th minute from Candice Kilderry. No other side would attempt a shot on goal for the remainder of the opening half.
The Skyhawks came out aggressive in the second half, outshooting the host Trojans by a 9-5 margin. Patterson and Cook led the charge with back-to-back shots on goal in the 49th and 50th minutes but Urban would make stops for the Trojans.
Cook (52nd minute) and Østergaard Ibsen (77th minute) would push forward for two more shot-on-goal opportunities but Little Rock deterred both attempts. Robinson and Cook both fired a shot in the waning moments in hopes of a game-tying score but UT Martin’s comeback bid would fall just short.
The Skyhawks return home for a bout with defending OVC Tournament champion Morehead State on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
