By Dylan Vazzano, Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It's an uncharacteristic week for the Tennessee Tech soccer team as the Golden Eagles dip into mid-week action with a Wednesday afternoon showdown at Murray State. First kick in Tech's pivotal battle with the Racers (3-4-2, 2-0-1) is slated for 3 p.m. CT.
The contest that now features two of the league's four undefeated OVC teams was originally scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7, but was moved back in early September because of planned electrical maintenance on the MSU campus. The tilt will mark the first Wednesday match for the Golden Eagles (6-4-2, 2-0-1) since 2010 when the purple and gold locked up with Louisiana Tech on Sep. 15.
TTU enters the matchup with the defending regular season and conference tournament champions on the heels of a light week that saw the Golden Eagles play only one match, a 1-1 draw Sunday at Morehead State. Scoreless at the half, Tech struck first behind an Abi Gearing penalty kick goal, the senior's team-leading fifth of the year, surpassing last year's career-high of four. The 5-foot-9 midfielder is currently fourth in the conference in goals.
The Eagles would go on to square the affair in the 71st minute, before neither squad could scratch another across as TTU checked the tie column for the second time this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Kari Naerdemann collected three saves in the deadlock to help continue a strong campaign that has the Herne, Germany native in the top three in the conference in goals against average (0.79), save percentage (.831) and shutouts (5).
Murray State remained undefeated in conference play thanks to a 2-2 draw Friday at Southeast Missouri and a 2-1 win at UT Martin Sunday afternoon. The Racers have now run their OVC unbeaten streak to 15, dating back to 2014 after the club went a perfect 10-0 in conference action a year ago.
Junior Harriet Withers found the back of the net for the third-straight match in Sunday's victory to give the Murwillumbah, Australia native a team-best six goals this year, putting her in third in the OVC.
Murray State has a 10-7-1 edge in the all-time series with the Golden Eagles, which includes a 2-1 nod in Cookeville last year in a battle between the top two teams in the conference.
Photo by Jim Dillon
