By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Amidst an overcast and at times stormy afternoon at Tech Soccer Field, the Tennessee Tech soccer team dropped its third straight Ohio Valley Conference match, 3-0, to Murray State. The Racers (4-6-1, 1-3-0) capitalized on a fast start in route to the shutout victory, finding the back of the net twice within the contest's first 6:10.
Murray State senior Rebecca Bjorkvall christened the scoring in the fifth minute after taking advantage of a rebound that skidded off the post on junior Julie Mooney's shot. The score was Bjorkvall's third of the 2013 campaign, while Mooney notched her fifth assist on the year.
Less than 1:30 later, the Racers padded their lead, as this time it was Mooney who did the honors for her fifth goal of the season. The 5-5 forward from St. Peters, Mo. took a cross from freshman Lauren Frazier, before splitting the pipes to give Murray State a 2-0 advantage.
Fast forward to the 31st minute and the Racers completed their trio of first-half goals thanks to senior Tasha Meritt heading a Kenzie Downey pass into the lower right corner of the net. The score was Meritt's second of the year, and the Downey assist was her first of 2013.
The Golden Eagles kept Murray State off the board in the second half, holding the Racers to just five shots in the process. In fact, with nine shots in the second stanza, Tech would outshoot MSU 15-14, led by senior Ellie Iaciofano's six, a match-high.
TTU sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Brown recorded another 90 minutes in goal, making five saves in front of a crowded Tech Soccer Field. Murray State used a tandem of freshmen goalkeepers, with Savannah Haberman getting the bulk of the duty with just about 81 minutes of action and four saves recorded, and Kylie Larwrence finishing the job in the final nine minutes and change.
The Golden Eagles will prepare for a lighter week with just one upcoming match, Sunday, Oct. 13 at Jacksonville State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT.
