The Skyhawk soccer team squeaked by the Bruins of Belmont University 3-2 on Friday in an exciting double overtime match.
UTM came out of the gate on fire as Dani Myrick scored a goal only 2:34 into the match. Three short minutes later, senior Katie Jackson netted the Skyhawks second goal off an assist from midfielder Kendal Keim.

Goalkeeper Megan Dempsey and the Skyhawk defense would hold Belmont scoreless for the rest of the first half.

The second half of the match would feature a seemingly different Skyhawk team, as the intensity level was noticeably lower allowing Belmont to score two goals and force overtime.

During the first overtime period the Skyhawks regained their focus and pushed the intensity back up. They had three shots during the overtime only to have them go wide left, wide right and high respectively.

As the second overtime period began, the Skyhawks were more determined than ever to put away the Bruins.

During the third minute of the second oevertime, junior Jamie Ohlheiser saw a pass come in from sophomore defender Jamie Price and Ohlheiser put the game winner past the outstretched arms of Micaela Crowley who was in goal for Belmont.

Headcoach Nathan Pifer said of the effort that the “second half just wasn’t a good one” but that overall he is “very happy. A win is a win, and if we have to go into overtime to do it, then we’ll do it.”

On Sunday the Skyhawks traveled to Jonesboro, Ark. for a matchup against the Indians of Arkansas State who the Skyhawks were undefeated against in four previous meetings.

They looked to continue this trend as they opened yet another game with an early goal when midfielder Katie Behrens took an assist off the foot of senior Dani Myrick and netted her second goal of the year. The Skyhawks would hold the Indians scoreless for the remainder of what was a very physical first half.

As the second half kicked off there was no let up in the physical play. Eight minutes into the second half ASU was awarded a penalty kick on a very questionable handball call in the penalty box. ASU midfielder Sarah Palke put the shot past UTM goalkeeper Allison Cofer to tie the game 1-1. The Skyhawks answered right back with a freshman connection when forward Jody Keirs found defender Caitlin Smith who netted the first goal of her college career.

ASU would find the back of the net again on yet another questionable play when Skyhawk goalkeeper Allison Cofer made a save only to be run over by an ASU player and have the ball torn from her hands. ASU’s Monica Roach was fortunate to be in the right spot at the right time and tied the game with her second goal of the year. The Skyhawks and Indians battled for eight minutes into the overtime period when ASU took a shot that hit hard off the crossbar only to find the foot of ASU’s Lana Carins who put in the game winner for the Indians.

The Skyhawks will now turn their focus to preperations for conference play which opens this weekend.

UTM will hit the road this week as they travel for matches against Tennessee Tech who defeated the Skyhawks 3-1 last year, and look to continue their unbeaten streak against the Lady Governors of Austin Peay.

Follow the Skyhawk soccer team and check for updates in the pacer and on www. utmsports.com