By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Believe it or not, Ohio Valley Conference play is here for the Tennessee Tech soccer team as the Golden Eagles (2-4-3) embark on a two-match road swing to kick off the season's most critical time. Tech begins the 10-match OVC slate Thursday evening in Nashville, hooking up with Belmont at 6:30 p.m. CT. The Golden Eagles then head to Jacksonville State for a 12 p.m. showdown with the Gamecocks on Sunday.
Thursday's match with the Bruins (1-6-1) is one of three contests that have been shifted from Friday to Thursday this season, with home matches against Austin Peay on Oct. 15, and UT Martin on Oct. 22, serving as the other pair of Thursday evening tilts.
TTU leaps into conference play after closing out a three-match home stand that saw the Golden Eagles check the win, loss, and tie columns. After a thrilling, double-overtime victory over Radford on Sep. 13, Tech put a lid on non-conference action with a 3-0 loss to Troy on Sep. 18, and a 1-1 draw with Chattanooga on Sep. 20.
Sunday's affair with the Mocs featured a Mary Francis Hoots goal, the sophomore's team-leading second of the season. The score was one 17 Tech shots in the match, a season high for the Golden Eagles, and it marked the third consecutive contest in which TTU has notched double-digit shots following 15 against Radford and 10 against Troy.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles continue to shine, having allowed one goal or fewer in seven of the last eight matches. In fact, Tech heads into its OVC opener second in the conference in both goals allowed (10) and goals allowed per game (1.11).
Freshman goalkeeper Kari Naerdemann, who recorded five saves in Sunday's tie with UTC, leads the OVC in save percentage (.839) and is second in the conference in goals against average (0.99).
Belmont hosts Tech having dropped three straight matches, and the Bruins are winless in their last seven tilts. Freshman Emily Whitcomb leads the club with two goals, and her four points put the Elmhurst, Ill. native in a tie with junior Meg Howard for the most on the squad.
In net, junior Stephanie Bukovec has logged all but 22 minutes this season, making 53 saves for the Bruins en route to a .791 save percentage.
Belmont leads the all-time series, 9-4-2.
Before the Golden Eagles flock to Jacksonville State Sunday, the Gamecocks (3-5-0) will welcome in Morehead State Friday evening for their first OVC action of the year. JSU has won two of its last three matches, outscoring its opponents 8-2 over that stretch, highlighted by a 7-0 victory over Alabama State.
Senior Kelsey Bright has paced the Gamecocks with five points this season, while the 5-foot-8 forward's three assists are tied with freshman Madison Carruthers for the most on the team. Seniors Courtney Hurt and Brianna Boutziouvis both sit atop the JSU charge with two goals apiece.
Between the pipes, sophomore Carolina Robinson has been the lone goalkeeper used by the Gamecocks this season, halting 53 shots in posting a .779 save-percentage with two shutouts on the year.
JSU has the upper hand in the all-time series with a 7-3-4 mark over the Golden Eagles.
