Tech soccer concludes stay out West with 3-0 loss to Arizona

Tech soccer concludes stay out West with 3-0 loss to Arizona

By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information

TEMPE, Ariz. – Two late Arizona goals changed the tide for the Tennessee Tech soccer team, as the Wildcats scored twice in the final 17 minutes to push past the Golden Eagles 3-0 in TTU's final contest in the Sun Devil Desert Classic in Tempe.  

Tech (0-2-2) was right in the hunt against the Pac-12 foe, keeping the clash at 1-0 for over 70 minutes with four total Arizona shots on-goal at that stage of the tilt. Red-shirt junior Isabelle Austin carded three saves during the span, while the Wildcats' lone goal came courtesy of an Iliana Hocking strike in the 29th minute.

Arizona added to its advantage with a pair of quick goals in a stretch of six minutes late in the second half. Samantha Falasco split the pipes in the 74th minute, before Brooke Wilson poured one into the back of the net in the 80th minute to give the Wildcats the 3-0 edge.

TTU freshman Bailey Taylor led the Golden Eagles with two shots. Sophomore Cassidy Bereda notched Tech's only shot on-goal, an attempt in the 14th minute halted by Wildcat keeper Hope Hisey. Four different Arizona players led the match with three shots apiece, including Hannah Clifford and Iliana Hocking that paced the club with two shots on-goal each. The Wildcats had 21 total shots.

Isabelle Austin secured four stops in net. The Sylvania, Ohio native was one of five Golden Eagles to play all 90 minutes, with Sarah Block, Rachel Blow, Kaitie Shipley and Kendall Webb joining Austin as players to go the distance. 16 different Golden Eagles appeared in the match.

TTU will round out a season-opening, five-match road swing Friday, Sept. 8 at North Alabama, before the Golden Eagles make their 2019 home debut Sunday, Sept. 8 against Appalachian State. Friday's affair is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT, while Sunday's home opener begins at 1 p.m. Admission to Tech Soccer Field is free of charge.


Photo by Thomas Corhern