By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It was raining, even pouring, but that didn't keep the Tennessee Tech soccer team from scoring. In fact, the Golden Eagles (5-4-3, 3-0-0) produced a season-high three goals to roll past Eastern Kentucky, 3-0, in a match that had all the elements of rain, wind, cold temperatures, and overall soggy and muddy field conditions.
The win gives Tech its third ever 3-0 conference start, and first since 2000. The Golden Eagles are also unbeaten in eight of their last nine matches.
"I'm proud of our effort. It was a tough game out there," TTU head coach Steve Springthorpe said on how his team navigated through the less than ideal surroundings. "I thought we did a great job of handling the field conditions. We're a team that possesses the ball and tries to keep it, so when it's sloppy like it was tonight, you see people sliding around and it makes it difficult to keep the ball. I thought we did a good job out there and I liked how we were able to adjust."
The offensive barrage came from a multitude of sources, with three different Golden Eagles finding the back of the net, including two in the first half.
After a hand ball occurred inside the EKU (1-10-0, 1-2-0) box in the 28th minute, Tech was awarded a penalty kick and thus a golden opportunity to strike first. Junior Abi Gearing left nothing to chance, firing one into the upper right corner of the net for her second goal in as many matches to give TTU the early edge.
Gearing would be heard from later in the match with an assist on Tech's third score, giving the Libertyville, Ill. native five points in the last two contests. The 5-foot-9 forward also paced TTU with a team-high four shots in the tilt.
Leading 1-0 in the 40th minute, the Golden Eagles ensured that they would head into intermission chock full of momentum, scoring in the latter stages of the period on a corner kick. Sophomore Karigan Owens, who had tallied assists in three consecutive matches, decided to take matters into her own hands this time with a beautiful ball on the corner that angled inside the far post to push the Tech lead to 2-0.
Owens' first goal of the year now makes it eight different Golden Eagles that have scored this season.
"It's coming from everywhere," Springthorpe said on his club's balanced attack. "Some have been during the run of play. Some have come on set pieces. It seems to be someone different every day."
Sophomore Cassidy Ortman put a ribbon on the scoring in the 56th minute, sniping an absolute dandy into the back of the net from well outside the box. The Huntsville, Ala. received a feed from Abi Gearing, before letting loose from the right wing and roping it upper 90 on the left side to extend the TTU advantage to 3-0.
Just like Gearing, Ortman has now scored in consecutive matches, and the 5-foot-7 sophomore is tied with Kalyn Pruett, Mary Francis Hoots, and Abi Gearing for the most goals on the team.
"Cass has scored a goal in each of the last two games, which has been great," Springthorpe said. "She's been giving some attack to us, and then when you throw in a set piece goal from someone like Abi, and Karigan getting a direct goal off of a corner, it's encouraging to see."
Not to be lost in all the offensive fireworks was another stellar effort from Tech defensively. The Golden Eagles tallied their fourth shutout of the season, fending off 22 EKU shots, including 15 in the second half. TTU also blanked an opponent in the first half for the 10th time in 12 matches this year.
Freshman Kari Naerdemann notched her fourth career shutout, recording seven saves in the match, while the Colonels' Anna Hall stopped three Tech attempts in her 90 minutes between the pipes.
The Golden Eagles will attempt to stay perfect in the OVC, traveling to Eastern Illinois on Friday, Oct. 9 for the club's next match. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. CT.