By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A series of chances went by the books for the Tennessee Tech soccer team, as the Golden Eagles were unable to capitalize on a season-high 24 shots in a 2-0 loss to Evansville Friday evening at Tech Soccer Field.
TTU (2-3-2) outshot the Purple Aces 24-9, but two-first half goals by Evansville proved to be the difference in the second of TTU's program-record, five-match homestand.
The Purple Aces (1-4-1) scored both goals within the span of five and a half minutes early in the first half, a period that produced just five shots for UE. Maggie Leazer unwrapped the scoring in the 14th minute after cradling in a free kick from Emily Ormson that was deflected on a leaping save by Tech keeper Isabelle Austin.
After wrestling in the ricochet, Leazer's first attempt from in close was smacked away by Austin, but the Evansville midfielder's second try found the back of the net to give the Aces the 1-0 edge. In the 19th minute Emily Wolak doubled up UE's margin with her second goal of the season. The 5-foot-2 sophomore received a leading pass from Ormson, before splitting the pipes to push the Purple Aces to a 2-0 lead.
Austin would end up with five saves, while Evansville's Michaela Till collected eight stops, as the Golden Eagles peppered multiple attempts in the direction of junior keeper.
Tech took 12 shots in each half and had an 8-0 discrepancy in corners.
Cassidy Bereda and Kendall Powell each took a match-high six shots. Powell and freshman Bailey Taylor paced the purple and gold with two shots on-goal apiece. Emily Ormson was the Evansville leader with three shots, all on-goal.
Powell and Taylor were among six Golden Eagles to play all 90 minutes. Austin, Rachel Blow, Katie Shipley and Kendall Webb also went the distance.
The Golden Eagles turn their sights to the final non-conference contest of 2019, as TTU plays host to Lispcomb Sunday evening at 6 p.m. CT. Admission to Tech Soccer Field is free of charge.
Photo by Thomas Corhern