Tech Soccer scores OVC road victory at Austin Peay
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech soccer team visited
in-state rival Austin Peay Friday night, and left with a 1-0
victory against its conference foe.
Sophomore Ashley Smith's aggressiveness paid off, with the
game-winning goal in the second half. Smith leads the Golden Eagles
(3-10-1, 2-1-1) with four goals and two assists on the season.
Freshman goalkeeper Kaitlyn Thacker got the starting nod, and
posted her second shutout of the season, with help from from a
stingy Golden Eagle defense.
Kaitlyn Thacker posted her second shut out of the season.
"The defense just played great tonight," coach Becky Fletcher said.
"Every one of them played a great game."
With the game tied at halftime, Fletcher challenged her team to
step it up in the second half.
"We challenged them to control the second half, and they did that,"
Fletcher said. "The effort they gave, and the sense of urgency we
played with was unbelievable. I couldn't be more proud of these
kids."
The win puts the Golden Eagles at 2-1-1 in the OVC at the mid-point
of the conference season. Coming into the game, Tech was tied with
Austin Peay at sixth place in the OVC, and the win vaults them near
the top of the standings. The top six teams in the OVC advance to
the conference tournament.
The Golden Eagles will not play Sunday, and return to action in
Cookeville on Oct. 17 to host Eastern Illinois, and Oct. 19 to
celebrate senior day against Southeast Missouri. Admission to games
at Tech Soccer Field is free.
