COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech freshman Andrea Meloff
netted her team-leading fourth goal of the season off a penalty
kick in the second half against Murray State on Sunday, but the
Golden Eagle soccer team couldn’t overcome the Racers’
three first half goals, as Murray State topped Tech 3-1.
The Racers out-shot Tech 18-9, including an 11-2 advantage in shots
on goal. Tech goalkeeper Kaitlyn Thacker played all 90 minutes and
had eight saves for the Golden Eagles. Murray State keeper Katie
Walsh had one save.
Murray State’s Nicole Evans got the scoring started for the
Racers in the eighth minute, finding the top left corner of the net
from about 15 yards out off an assist from Audrey Wilson. Evans
later assisted a goal from Danielle McMurray, and Rachel Longley
scored unassisted off a rebound in front of the net to put MSU
ahead 3-0 before halftime.
Meloff’s penalty kick gave Tech momentum in the second half,
and the Golden Eagles had a couple more great chances at the net in
the ensuing moments, but couldn’t capitalize.
Each team had four corner kicks in the contest, and two yellow
cards. Sophie Hargreaves and Katie Wilson were cautioned for Murray
State, along with Jen Hoffman and Kerri Reid for Tech.
Tech falls to 2-7-1 overall and 1-1-0 in Ohio Valley Conference
play, while Murray State, the defending conference regular season
champion, improves to 4-4-1 overall and 2-0-0 in OVC play.
The Golden Eagles will continue OVC play next weekend with a visit
to Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 2, before hosting Morehead State on
Oct. 4. Admission to all Tech home soccer matches is free.