By Dylan Vazzano, Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A stout defensive showcase that saw the Tennessee Tech soccer team limit Wright State to only three shots helped pace the Golden Eagles (2-1-0) to a 1-0 victory in the club's 2016 home opener. The shutout win marks just the fourth time in program history, and first since 2004, that Tech has carded two shutouts in the season's first three matches.
"We are excited about tonight and are definitely happy to come away with a shutout," Tech head coach Steve Springthorpe claimed on the evening's outcome. "I thought defensively we were pretty solid compared to where we were last week, and that was a big focus for us. We knew Wright State would come in here and battle, and I thought we did a good job of handling the pressure early on and played just a great game."
Offensively, Tech found a way to dent the scoreboard in the waning stages of the first half, using a Nora Vicsek 44th minute score to serve as the tilt's difference maker. The goal was the first in Vicsek's career as the freshman took a pass in the box from fellow freshman Kaitie Shipley, before rifling it into the up right corner of the net to break the scoreless tie. Shipley is now the first Golden Eagle with two assists this season.
"Nora was good tonight, and you could see that around the box she's hungry," Springthorpe said. "She actually almost had a second one tonight early in the second half and that's what she brings to the table. Nora's a scrapper and wants to score goals, and of course it was great that Kaitie was able to get the ball to her. I'm happy for the two of them, but as I look at it, this is an entire team effort. It was a real solid game for us to play heading into Sunday."
The Raiders (0-3-0) were stymied to the point of just one shot on-goal in the match, a Sarah Colvin try that was gobbled up by sophomore Kari Naerdemann in the 56th minute. Wright State did not attempt a shot in the first period.
"I'm particularly glad that we were able to rebound tonight, heading into the game that was a point of emphasis" Springthorpe added. "We talked about bouncing back and trying to find a way to get better, and I thought we did that today."
Kari Naerdemann tabbed the shutout after making the lone stop that helped push the Herne, Germany native to her ninth career blanking since joining the Golden Eagles before the start of the last season. Wright State's Katie Ruff made five saves between the pipes.
Tech proved to be efficient in its shot attempts, drilling six-of-nine on-goal, led by junior Karigan Owens' three on-point. Junior Niki Romero took two of Wright State's three shots.
The Golden Eagles will now set their sights on Mercer, welcoming the Bears to Tech Soccer Field Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
