By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Late dramatics on the defensive side of the equation proved to be just enough for Little Rock to deny the Tennessee Tech soccer team a point in a 1-0 Trojan victory Sunday afternoon in the 2024 OVC opener.
Trailing 1-0 in the tilt's waning moments, Tech's bid at an equalizer went by the books after Meredith Nye's top-shelf attempt was popped over the crossbar by Peyton Urban to keep Little Rock's 1-0 lead intact.
In the 89th minute with less than 90 seconds left in the match, Nye found herself with space from five yards outside the box. Cool, calm and collected, the Golden Eagle senior sent a blast toward the top left corner of the goal with a drive that appeared destined to clip the back of the net and push TTU to a draw, but Urban had other ideas. The 5-foot-7 junior climbed the ladder and poked the match-tying try out of bounds to keep the score situated at 1-0. An offsides call on the ensuing Tech corner essentially sealed the deal on the Trojan triumph.
Urban's stop was one of five for the Austin, Texas native, which included denying Bella Garrett in the 72nd minute and Sam Schroeffel in the 79th minute on a pair of attempts that looked promising for the purple and gold.
The Golden Eagles (0-7-4, 0-1-0 OVC) used a pair of keepers in the league opener. Madison North made her Tech debut, playing the entirety of the first half and allowing the Little Rock goal to go along with one save in 45 minutes. Maggie Conrad played the entire second half and made one save as well.
The Trojans (4-5-1, 1-0-0 OVC) unwrapped the scoring early, capitalizing on a set piece in the 12th minute to account for the affair's lone goal. A lengthy free kick smacked off Jaeda Centeno's head and toward Abbie Smith along the back line. Smith's ensuing header hit the right post and deflected to Candice Kilderry, who promptly buried the chance for her third goal of the season.
Little Rock outshot the Golden Eagles, 12-9. The two teams each attempted six tries in the second half. Maria Schuller led the match with five shots, while Neve Renwick's four attempts paced the purple and gold. The Sheffield, England product's three bids on-frame were the most in the contest.
TTU will now set its sights on the club's OVC home opener as the Golden Eagles will welcome SEMO to Cookeville on Thursday, Sept. 26. Kickoff under the lights is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT. Admission to Tech Soccer Field is free of charge.
Photo by Jim Dillon
