The Skyhawk soccer team opened the 2005 season by winning one of two games during the Waterfront Classic in Monroe, La. UTM opened the tournament by dropping a game to the Ladies of Centenary College by a score of 2-1. Centenary was incredibly proficient scoring their two goals on only four shot attempts, while UTM was only able to connect once with their 27 shot attempts when sophomore midfielder Katie Behrens netted a shot in the 80th minute.

UTM had an excellent opportunity to tie the game in the last 30 seconds of the match, but a shot off the foot of Jamie Ohlheiser was marvously saved by Centenary goaltender Sarah Balkey.

UTM faced tournament host Louisiana-Monroe on Sunday afternoon, where forward Katie Jackson got assists from both Kindal Keim and team co-captain Lindsey Tilk as she connected on two goals during a six minute span in the second half to give the Skyhawks their first win of the season. Goaltender Megan Dempsey added six saves as she earned her first shutout of this season, and the seventh of her career.

The Skyhawks will return to action on Wednesday as they face the Lady Mocs of UT Chattanooga, opening their home schedule at Skyhawk Field. The Lady Mocs make the trek across Tennessee after a season opening 4-1 loss to Clemson University on Friday, and traveling to Eastern Kentucky only to have the game canceled due to severe weather. As severe weather also threatens Wednesday’s game, UTM will attempt to avenge last year’s season opening 4-1 loss to UTC in which the Mocs jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. UTM will look to return the favor as action kicks off on Skyhawk Field at 4 p.m.

On Friday, the Skyhawks will travel to Springfield, Mo. as they take on the Bears of Southwest Missouri State. The Bears come off two early season wins and a match up with the Kansas Jayhawks. UTM will be looking for its first win over Southwest Missouri after playing to a 1-1 tie in 2003.

For more information on the Skyhawk Women’s Soccer team log onto www.utmsports.com and watch for next week’s issue of The Pacer for a full preview of the 2005 Skyhawk Soccer season.