By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A dramatic score in the waning moments of regulation sunk the Tennessee Tech soccer team's chances at its first shutout of the season and ultimately sent the Golden Eagles to a 1-0 loss at UAB Thursday evening.
Scoreless into the 87th minute, Morgan Halliwill broke the deadlock with her second goal of the season, splitting the pipes on a header to help propel the Blazers (4-2-1) to a now five-match unbeaten streak following an 0-2 start to the year. Hannah Clark started the dramatics with a lengthy cross into the box that connected with Halliwill's lid and into the back of the net.
The go-ahead goal was part of a 17-shot attack for the home side that saw the Tech defense stand up to the task of turning away attempt after attempt in a bid at the club's first clean sheet of 2023. After being outpaced 8-0 in the first stanza, the Golden Eagles (0-4-2) were outshot 9-4 in the second half.
Katie Toney led Tech with two tries in the tilt, while Yao Giada Zhou and Bailey Taylor were responsible for the other two shots for the purple and gold. Taylor's take was Tech's lone shot on-goal, with UAB holding a 10-1 shot on-frame discrepancy overall.
The Blazer offense, who came into Thursday's tangle having scored eight goals over their last four matches, forced Maggie Conrad into a career-high tying eight saves. The 5-foot-7 junior made a series of key stops, before UAB connected on the winner on the well-executed cross.
Anika Toth picked up the shutout behind one save. Jolie St Louis led the match with five shots and four attempts on-point.
Six Golden Eagles played all 90 minutes, with Selma Askildsen, Macy Carter, Conrad, Sami Cullum, Abigail Davis and Toney all going the distance.
Tech will return to Cookeville for a non-conference closing homestand that will see the Golden Eagles square off with Lipscomb on Sunday and Middle Tennessee on Sept. 17. Sunday's battle with the Bisons is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. Admission to Tech Soccer Field is free of charge.
Photo by Jim Dillon
