By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A narrow affair swung Belmont's direction, as the Bruins came to Cookeville and left with a 1-0 win Tuesday night at Tech Soccer Field.
The loss knocks the Tennessee Tech soccer team off the ranks of the unbeaten, snapping TTU's three-match winning streak to begin the spring, the longest season-opening surge since 2004. Belmont's score was also the first Tech has allowed in four matches this season after the Golden Eagles (3-1-0) entered the tilt as the last team in the OVC to let up a goal this year.
Hayley Poynter found the back of the net in the 11th minute, scoring on a header off of a cross from Julie Garst to help push Belmont (2-3-0) to the early edge. Garst was credited with the assist on the play.
Tech attempt a season-low eight shots, but nearly managed to put home the equalizer in the second half. Fresh off her first career goal in Friday's thrilling win over Eastern Illinois, Gabby Garcia almost squared the score right after intermission with a drive in the 46th minute that banged off the crossbar.
Chloe Smith nearly knotted the match in the 75th minute, but her header in front of the goal off a Cassidy Bereda cross went upstairs to keep Belmont on top. Smith tied for the match-high with three shots, while Bereda and Garcia each registered a pair.
Poynter paced the Bruin attack with three total shots. Garst produced a match-best two shots on-goal.
Isabelle Austin collected a season-high seven saves in the loss. The 5-foot-8 senior kept the Golden Eagles within striking distance behind two key stops late in the second half. Emily Nguyen found herself with space on the left side of the box, but Austin halted her try in the 74th minute with an impressive redirection off her leg.
In the 85th minute, Garst let loose on a missile from in close that saw Austin climb the ladder and track it down to preserve the 1-0 deficit.
Sarah Doyle needed just two stops to pick up the clean sheet that snapped Belmont's three-match slide.
The Golden Eagles will hit the road for a Friday showdown at Southeast Missouri. First kick with the Redhawks is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Photo by Jim Dillon
