By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A score in the latter stages of each half, coupled with a goal early in the second, proved to be more than enough for Troy University in its 3-0 victory over the Tennessee Tech soccer team amidst a sun soaked afternoon at Tech Soccer Field. The defeat ends TTU's four-match unbeaten streak.
Despite the loss, the Golden Eagles (2-4-2) tallied double-digit shots for the second consecutive match and third time this season, ending the affair with 10 rips. Sophomore Zoie Hensley paced the Tech attack with three, two of which were on-goal.
The defeat ends a run of six straight matches in which Tech has allowed fewer than two goals, and the contest marks the first time this year in which TTU has yielded more than two scores in a match.
With the match deadlocked at 0-0 in the concluding moments of the first period, the Trojans (6-2-0) stole the tilt's momentum with a goal that carried Troy into intermission with a 1-0 edge. Nearly destined for a scoreless opening stanza, sophomore Natalie Melillo and senior Payton Donely had other ideas.
With 2:30 left until the break, Melillo laced a cross from well outside that clipped off the noggin of Donley and into the back of the net in what was the Woodstock, Ga. native's first goal of the season. The assist was also the first of the year for Melillo.
The Trojans would go on to pad their lead early on in the second half, scoring in the 55th minute behind a Chelsey Miller unassisted goal. The senior, and Troy all-time leader in career goals and points, split through a pair of Tech defenders and blasted one past the try of freshman goalkeeper Kari Naerdemann to extend the Trojan margin to 2-0.
Following the score, the Golden Eagles turned things up offensively en route to three corners in the span of just five minutes from the 65th to 70th minute, and had a prime opportunity to leap on the scoreboard in the 66th minute. Behind a beautiful ball from junior Marissa Rouse, sophomore Zoie Hensely raced past the Trojan defense with just the keeper to beat.
Ultimately the Ranchos de Taos N.M. native's attempt went begging, after freshman Sydnay Tucker went into a dive to block the shot away. Tucker ended the match with four saves for her first collegiate shutout. Across the way, Naerdemann registered five halts.
Troy would add a final score in the 89th minute, using a Brooke McKee goal to cap off the match at 3-0. The 5-foot-6 freshman cradled in a pass from junior Haley Roberson, who earned the assist on the play, before blasting one between the pipes for her third goal of the season. McKee led the match with six shots, three of which were on-goal.
Tech closes out its non-conference slate Sunday afternoon, hosting in-state foe Chattanooga at 1 p.m. CT.
