The UTM women’s soccer team battled to a 0-0 tie after two overtime periods with Morehead State University Sunday afternoon.

The Skyhawks’ goalkeeper, Cara Sullivan, collected a record-setting save in the match, breaking the UTM freshman saves record. The Skyhawks record moves to 3-8-2 (1-3-2 OVC) and Morehead 5-7-1 (3-1-1 OVC).

The Skyhawks, coming off a double overtime match in a previous game, again went 110 minutes in conference play. The first half saw a very aggressive Morehead State team come out with a physical game plan to attack the goal. UTM’s defense and Sullivan stymied each scoring opportunity for the Eagles. Sullivan collected three saves in the first half of play.

Offensive threats for the Skyhawks were hindered as the top two scorers, forward Katie Behrens and midfielder Kendall Straessle, were both battling illness. Behrens was still able to provide the Skyhawks’ best scoring opportunity in the first half, firing a shot at the 14:05 mark only to see it saved by Morehead State goalkeeper Leslie King.

The second half saw the physical play intensify as Morehead State received three yellow cards in the second half alone, adding to one received in the first half. The Skyhawk defense continued to deny each offensive threat in the second half. Sullivan collected six saves, adding to her season total of 102, earning her a spot atop the Skyhawk record books. Sullivan becomes the all-time leader in saves for a freshman, passing Jane Carroll who collected 94 saves in 1999.

At the conclusion of regulation play, UTM moved into overtime for the second match in a row. The Skyhawks’ best opportunity to end the match came on a shot from the foot of defender Jamie Furstenburg in the 109th minute, but it was just wide.

“Both teams fought very hard today,” said Skyhawk head coach Craig Roberts. “I’m very proud of our girls for matching the aggressive play from Morehead. They were really able to rise to the occasion and earning a point on the road is always important.”

By earning a point for the tie, the Skyhawks continue to control their own destiny in attempts to return to the OVC tournament.

The soccer team went into Sunday’s fray with Morehead after battling the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on Friday to a 0-0 tie in double overtime. The tie moves the Skyhawks’ record to 3-8-2 and 1-3-2 in the OVC. Eastern Kentucky’s record stands at 2-9-1 overall, 0-3-1 in conference.

UTM’s defense was able to contain the EKU offensive attack throughout the first half. Limiting them to only seven shot attempts, goalkeeper Sullivan wasn’t even tested during the first half. The Skyhawks had their best opportunities to score in the first half, challenging EKU goalkeeper Christina Graul on several occasions only to see her deflect each shot away.

UTM continued to apply defensive pressure as EKU elevated its offensive pressure. The Skyhawks’ defense was able to withstand the run EKU made and force the game into overtime.

Late in the first overtime, EKU had itsbest opportunity to end the game when Georgia Koromelas fired a shot only to see it tipped out of harm’s way by Sullivan.

In the second overtime period, Skyhawk defender Jamie Furstenburg and the UTM team saw their best opportunity to win the game bound off the left post after a free kick from 20 yards.

The soccer team will next face conference leader Samford University at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at home.