By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
MARTIN, Tenn. – UT Martin scored three goals in the span of three minutes early in the second half, turning the tables on any chances of a Tennessee Tech soccer team comeback as the Skyhawks (7-4-0, 1-1-0) pulled away with a 5-1 win.
The Golden Eagles (2-9-0, 0-2-0) had just began their pursuit at a comeback, scoring in the 63rd minute to chop a 2-0 deficit in half at 2-1. Junior Taylor Blazei did the honors, scoring her second goal of the season after taking a lead pass from freshman Zoie Hensely and slipping it past UTM's Mariah Klenke to make it a 2-1 affair. Hensley was credited with the assist on the play.
Moments later the tide turned in dramatic fashion as the Skyhawks went off for a trio of goals in a three minute span. Sophomore Ellie Myrick began the barrage with a 65th minute score to put Martin up 3-1, splitting the pipes after receiving a pass from senior Alyssa Curtis, who took home an assist on the goal. A minute later it was junior Rianna Jarett that put the Skyhawks on top 4-1 with a goal from 25 yards out, before the scoring was capped off with another Ellie Myrick net finder, using an Ashlie Watson deep cross to give UTM a 5-1 advantage.
Watson tallied her second assist of the afternoon on the score, notching the first one on a 23rd minute Saphyr Coombs-James goal to christen to scoring. Martin added a second goal in the first half with only 12 seconds to go in the stanza, as freshman Eva Heller found the back of the net from a Lucy Pater pass to jump the Skyhawks out to a 2-0 halftime advantage.
The Golden Eagles had their hands full defensively, with UTM smacking 35 shots on the day, 13 of which were on-goal. Senior goalkeeper Rebecca Toler fended off six shots on the day, while Martin's Mariah Klenke made three saves in helping guide the Skyhawks to a victory.
Tech continues its stretch of eight-straight on the road Friday, Oct. 3, traveling to Eastern Kentucky for a 3 p.m. CT start time.
