By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – SIU Edwardsville came into Tech Soccer Field and spoiled the Senior Day party for the Tennessee Tech soccer team, scoring two second-half goals to upend the Golden Eagles (2-14-2, 0-7-2) 2-0 on a gorgeous, sun-soaked Sunday afternoon.
Scoreless in a first half that featured just three shots on-goal, the Cougars (11-5-1, 8-1-0), who are now just a win or tie away from the OVC regular season championship, came out of the halftime gates on fire, finding the back of the net just three minutes and 14 seconds into the second stanza on the club's already fourth shot of the half.
The goal came off a counter attack after junior Katye Skrivan had just taken away a Tech pass, before guiding one into the box and through the TTU defense that was blasted into the net by sophomore Kayla Delgado to break the scoreless affair. Delgado notched her third score of the year, while Skrivan collected her fourth assist on the play.
The goal was part of an aggressive Edwardsville attack to begin the second period as the Cougars ripped nine shots in the first eight minutes of the half, matching their total over the course of the entire first 45 minutes of action. SIUE would go on to take 24 total shots, 15 in the second half alone.
Despite allowing the initial goal, TTU senior keeper Rebecca Toler came up big in making eight key saves, six of which came in the second half. The Collierville, Tenn. native also kept the Cougars from jumping out to a first-half lead late in the period, halting a Michelle Auer free kick from just outside the box. Toler initially smacked the attempt over her head and as the ball was inches away from dipping into the net, she was able to just get enough of an arm on it to force it away and keep SIUE off the board.
Edwardsville junior goalkeeper Jennifer Pelley made one save in the match, stopping a Taylor Blazei try in the 26th minute.
The Cougars would go on to pad their 1-0 advantage with only five minutes left in the match, transitioning after a Tech corner for their second goal. The aforementioned Michelle Auer gathered a deflection off the Golden Eagle corner, streaked down the pitch and then connected with freshman Emily Grahl, who split the pipes for her fourth goal of the season.
Before the match, Tech honored its senior class of manager Chelsea Ladd, Rebecca Toler, Amanda Koch, Haley Morton, Katie Phillips, and Kelsey McGohan with a special ceremony with head coach Steve Springthorpe and Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. The players gathered with their families and each received flowers and their framed jersey.
The Golden Eagles have just one match remaining in their 2014 season as they will play host to Jacksonville State on Friday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
