By Dylan Vazzano, Sports Information Coordinator
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A four-point showing out of junior Karigan Owens, coupled with a stellar defensive effort by the Tennessee Tech soccer team, propelled the Golden Eagles to a 3-0 road win over in-state foe Middle Tennessee for the club's fourth shutout nod of the season. With the victory over the Blue Raiders (2-3-1), Tech (4-2-0) ties its third best six-match start in program history, and is off to its best beginning since the 2002 campaign.
"Tonight was a hard fought match between two competitive teams trying to get a win and I give a lot of credit to MTSU," TTU head coach Steve Springthorpe claimed. "In the end, I'm excited for our team and our ability to come away with the victory. I thought we played our most competitive game of the season tonight and performed well in all facets of the game. We defended well, we had great energy from the start and we finished our goal-scoring opportunities."
Owens starred for TTU offensively, collecting a goal and two assists for the La Grange, Ky. native's second four-point performance in the last three matches after accomplishing the feat in Tech's 3-0 win over Mercer on Aug. 28. The 5-foot-9 junior now has five assists on the year, tying last season's career-high.
"Karigan is playing well right now and actually had a great game defensively too," Springthorpe said. "She won a number of challenges, and then obviously from an offensive perspective, we know that her service is what we live on a little right now. She is without a doubt helping us on the attacking side and are proud of Karigan's efforts."
Owens helped get the Golden Eagles off to a rapid beginning, connecting with fellow junior Mary Francis Hoots on a corner in the 24th minute that saw Hoots head it into the back of the net from close to nine yards out to give Tech a 1-0 edge. Hoots' score was the first of the year for the Nashville native and marks the third-straight tilt in which she has notched at least one point after earning assists in Tech's previous two matches.
Leading 1-0 late in the first stanza, a second Owens' set piece aided the Golden Eagles just before the half as Tech split the pipes in the 44th minute thanks to the first career goal from freshman Dani Shartouny. An Owens' free kick from out wide found the 5-foot-4 rookie on a run, who one-timed it through to extend the TTU margin to 2-0 heading into the break.
The Golden Eagles came out scorching in the early stages of the second period as Owens elected to take matters into her own feet with a strike from 35 yards out that smoked into the back of the net to widen the Tech gap to 3-0. The goal brings her total to two this season, matching last year's career-high.
Defensively, TTU limited the Blue Raiders to just four shots on-goal and only one in the first half, a period that featured just three MTSU shots total. The Golden Eagles have yet to yield a first-half score this year, running its season-opening streak to six matches.
Sophomore Kari Naerdemann tabbed her fourth shutout of the year and 11th of her career, making four saves, three of which occurred in the second half. Across the way, MTSU freshman Sydney Chalcraft surrendered three goals in 90 minutes between the pipes.
The Blue Raiders won the shot battle, 10-9, paced by four from freshman Salera Jordan. Eight different Golden Eagles let loose on an attempt, led by a pair from junior Michaella Keyes.
TTU will now ready itself for another in-state foe, welcoming East Tennessee State to Tech Soccer Field Sunday night. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT.
Photo by Jim Dillon
