By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A defensive struggle swung SIUE's direction, as the Cougars claimed the tilt's only goal in a 1-0 win over the Tennessee Tech soccer team Tuesday afternoon.
SIUE (6-1-1) found the back of the net in the 59th minute, capitalizing on back-to-back shots on-goal to provide the difference in the affair. Lily Schnieders powered a drive from the left side of the box that was deflected by Isabelle Austin for one of her six saves, but on the ricochet, MacKenzie Litzsinger found herself with a clean look from the right side and slotted it between the pipes for the go-ahead goal.
Litzsinger's score was her OVC-leading sixth of the season, while Schnieders earned her fifth assist of the spring.
The Golden Eagles (3-5-0), who played in their eighth straight 1-0 match, had a prime opportunity to take the lead early into the second half after Meg Ivey split through the SIUE defense with only the keeper to beat. The 5-foot-1 sophomore soared into the box in the 53rd minute, but her blast was guided away by Taylor Spiller to keep Tech at bay.
Spiller's stop was one two saves made by the sophomore keeper.
Defensively, Tech held the league's most potent offense to under its season average in shots behind 14 SIUE attempts. Litzsinger paved the Cougar attack with a team-high three, while Chloe Smith was the match leader with four of Tech's seven total tries.
The Golden Eagles will travel to Jacksonville State for the club's last road contest of the spring on Friday, Apr. 2. First kick with the Gamecocks is set for 3 p.m. CT.
Photo by Jim Dillon
