By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech soccer team's two-match exhibition schedule ended with a 2-0 loss to Middle Tennessee Thursday evening at Tech Soccer Field.
For the second consecutive affair, Tech and its opponent played three 30-minute periods in lieu of the traditional two 45-minute halves, and the Blue Raiders found a way to split the pipes late in the second and early in the third to capture the contest.
A MT-unassisted goal with just over three minutes remaining in the second unwrapped the scoring, before the Blue Raiders tacked on another with a net-finder less than five minutes into the final period. The two goals were part of an 8-1 shot on-goal discrepancy for Middle Tennessee, though the Golden Eagles smacked a pair of shots off the cross bar midway through the third.
Overall, MT outshot Tech 18-9. Two Golden Eagle keepers combined for six stops, while a trio of Blue Raider keepers kept TTU off the board with one total save.
The Golden Eagles saw 17 players appear in the match. Middle Tennessee showcased 25 different players.
The start time was delayed nearly 95 minutes due to a pair of lightning delays.
With the exhibition slate now in the rearview mirror, Tech will open up its 2021 campaign Thursday, Aug. 19 at Vanderbilt. First kick in Nashville is set for 7 p.m. CT.
Photo by Thomas Corhern