By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Less than one week into its 2018 preseason camp, the Tennessee Tech soccer team got its first taste of competitive action against an opponent Sunday evening, playing host to Vanderbilt 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 Commodores edged the Golden Eagles, 1-0, under the lights of Tech Soccer Field with a late goal in the third and final period.
Throughout the match, 17 of Tech's 20 players saw game action, accounting for two shots and two total shots on goal. Vanderbilt used a whopping 27 players to record eight shots, including two on goal.
Tech got the early chance, registering a shot on goal early in the first period. The first two periods and much of the third was played in the midfield area, with each team taking turns attempting to set up and launch an attack.
Vanderbilt broke the scoreless tie in the 85th minute of the contest, using a header from the left side of the box off a long cross to light up the scoreboard. Tech launched a valiant effort down the stretch, but was held off the scoreboard for the remainder of the match.
Tech will get another crack at some preseason action next Sunday evening at 6 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 2018 season less than one week later on Friday, Aug. 17 at Georgia State. The match is set for a 6 p.m. start in Atlanta.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information