While UTM students had their Fall Break last week, the soccer women were working to improve their record.

UTM suffered a 1-0 soccer loss to host Lipscomb University last Tuesday afternoon in Nashville.

The Skyhawks outplayed Lipscomb throughout the match. outshooting their host 16-8 in the match.

The Skyhawks dominated in the second half, outshooting Lipscomb 10-2. UTM was unable to come up with a goal as the clock ran out, giving the Lady Bison their second win of the season.

“We outplayed them everywhere,” said Nathan Pifer, the Skyhawks head coach. “We just continue to struggle with injuries.”

Four Skyhawk starters were forced to watch the entire game from the sidelines due to previous injuries.

The UTM soccer team was unable to come up with a win in its first game of last weekend’s OVC matches. The Skyhawks were outscored 2-1 by the Southeast Missouri (SEMO) Otahkians.

Most of the first half remained scoreless, as both teams’ defenses dominated the field. Skyhawk sophomore Dani Myrick came up with the first goal of the game, and the last goal that UTM would score for the day.

Sophomore Katie Jackson crossed to Myrick from the left side of the field, earning the assist with only eight minutes left in the half.

The Otahkians answered quickly as Heather Reding scored SEMO’s first goal of the day only 35 seconds into the second half. Marla Gianino assisted Reding in the goal.

Reding offered insurance for SEMO scoring off a corner kick with only 11 minutes left in the game. She was unassisted in the play.

The Skyhawks were unable to come up with another goal, giving SEMO its third OVC win.

Skyhawk Goalkeeper Megan Dempsey finished the game with eight saves.

SEMO improved its all-time series record with UTM to 5-0-0.

“We worked hard, and we just need to keep looking forward,” said head coach Nathan Pifer. “We have another game on Sunday to focus on. We still have a chance at the tournament and that is what we need to work for.”

On Sunday, UTM gained momentum in the OVC, tying the Eastern Illinois Panthers 3-3 in double overtime.

The Skyhawks improved their all-time series record with the EIU Panthers to 0-6-1 with the tie.

Eastern Illinois’ Beth Liesen scored her team's first goal of the game 18 minutes into the first half. The goal was the result of a penalty kick.

UTM answered with its own penalty kick early in the second half as freshman Jamie Ohlheiser tied the game 1-1.

The Skyhawks took the lead as sophomore Dani Myrick scored with 25 minutes left to play after receiving a cross from freshman Kindal Keim.

Liesen returned to the goal again, tying the game 2-2. She was unassisted in the play.

Only five minutes later, Liesen scored her third goal of the game to give the Panthers the lead, with only 17 minutes left to play. She was assisted by Amy Dix.

The Skyhawks held on to tie the game once more, scoring the last goal of the game. Sophomore Katie Jackson netted the goal, assisted by Myrick.

Both teams fought hard throughout two overtimes, still coming up without a goal. Skyhawk goalkeeper Megan Dempsey finished the game with nine saves.

“We had two tough conference games this weekend,” said Skyhawk head coach Nathan Pifer.

“This is one of the top teams in the OVC, and this tie shows that we can come out on the field and play with them.”

“I was really proud of the girls,” said Pifer. “They played hard without a lot of substitution. We just have to keep our heads up and take these last three OVC matches in a storm.”

Eastern Illinois is now 8-4-4 in the regular season, 4-0-2 in the conference. The Skyhawks are now 6-6-3 overall and 1-2-2 in the OVC.

UTM hits the road again this weekend with a slate of OVC matches against Austin Peay University at 7 p.m., today in Clarksville, Tenn., and Tennessee Tech at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 in Cookeville, Tenn.