By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech soccer team checked off a couple of boxes in its Thursday evening tangle with ETSU.
The Golden Eagles picked up their first goal of the year on the way to their first draw of 2025 in a 1-1 deadlock with the Buccaneers at Tech Soccer Field.
The tilt's scoring took place in the first stanza, with the purple and gold striking first in the 23rd minute. Ebba Melin did the honors thanks to a Claire Palya free kick that was placed perfectly to a streaking Melin who headed in the try for her second-career goal. Palya picked up the assist on the set piece that pushed the Golden Eagles (0-4-1) to the early edge.
ETSU (1-2-2) responded to the early set back with an Ava Duffey score in the 34th minute that knotted the contest at 1-1. Duffey's goal saw the sophomore from Signal Mountain, Tenn. let loose on a drive at the edge of the box that just creeped under the crossbar to pull the Bucs even.
Duffey's goal was the only one that snuck past Conrad, who collected a season-best eight stops. ETSU keeper Addison Yelton did not have to make a save over the course of the contest.
Tech made the most of its opportunities with only two shots in the match. Melin split the pipes, while Lucia Cuadra took an attempt in the 84th minute.
The Buccaneers notched 20 shots, with nine on-frame. Regan Fitzgerald and Jada Cooper each collected a match-leading six tries.
Fresh off its first result of the season, Tech will close out the third week of the regular season with a Sunday get-together at Miami (OH). Kickoff from Oxford is scheduled for noon CT.
Photo | Jeff Bowe