By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A scoreless affair took an IUPUI turn, as the Jaguars scored late in regulation to top the Tennessee Tech soccer team 1-0 in the 2022 season opener.
Deadlocked at 0-0 with just over 80 minutes already in the books, Tech (0-1-0) committed a foul that allowed IUPUI to set up a free kick from just outside the box. Maya Turner's try was blocked by a wall of Golden Eagles, but in TTU's attempt to clear, the Jaguars (1-0-0) found a way to wrestle back possession and set themselves up at a chance to break the scoreless knot.
Emma Manolovic peppered a pass that slipped through the Tech defense and onto the waiting shoe tops of Emma Antoine, who settled one in the top right corner of the net to put IUPUI ahead in the 81st minute. Manolovic earned an assist on the deciding score.
Antoine's winner was one of 10 Jaguar shots, including seven in the second half, and one of four on-frame in the match. Tech ended the opener with nine total shots, paced by Yao Giada Zhou's two attempts. TTU doubled up the corner chances with an 8-4 discrepancy, highlighted by a 6-1 margin in the second stanza.
Tech had a chance to jump ahead midway through the second half, but a Gabby Garcia strike in the 69th minute slammed off the right post to keep the match preserved at 0-0. Garcia was one of eight different Golden Eagles to record a shot, which included tries on-point by Emily Carlevato and Bailey Taylor.
Maggie Conrad registered three saves in her first collegiate action in between he pipes, while Ashton Kudlo recorded the clean sheet behind a pair of halts.
Tech will turn its attention to its first road affair of the year, as the Golden Eagles will travel to Nashville for a Sunday, Aug. 21 battle at Lipscomb. Kickoff with the Bisons is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Photo by Jim Dillon
