By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Just over one week into its 2017 preseason camp, the Tennessee Tech soccer team got its first taste of competitive action against an opponent Tuesday evening, playing host to Kennesaw State in its first of two exhibition matches slated before the season opener.
Playing three, 30-minute periods as opposed to the traditional two, 45-minute halves, the visiting Owls outdueled the Golden Eagles, 2-1, in a back-and-forth affair under the lights of Tech Soccer Field.
Throughout the match, 21 of the team's 23 players saw game action, accounting for 12 shots and five total shots on goal. Kennesaw State used 20 players to total 11 shots, including six on goal.
The Owls took the early 1-0 advantage on the night, scoring in the 21st minute of the first period. Tech answered back in the second period, knotting the score at one goal apiece in the 43rd minute.
Kennesaw State took the lead for good early in the final period, scoring the game-winning goal in the 64th minute overall. The visitors then held off a potent Golden Eagle attack down the stretch, which included an incredible leaping save to knock away a sure equalizer late in the contest.
Tech will get another crack at some preseason action Friday evening at 7 p.m. CT when it plays host to in-state rival Chattanooga in the team's second exhibition match of the year.
The Golden Eagles will officially kick off the 2017 season one week late on Friday, Aug. 18 at Vanderbilt. The match is set for a 7 p.m. start in Nashville.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
