The UTM soccer team pulled out a 2-1 win over Arkansas State in a double overtime thriller on Sunday afternoon. It was the final game of the Puma Skyhawk Invitational. The Skyhawks improved their record to 2-3-1 on the season.

UTM drew first blood from an unassisted strike in the 24th minute by junior forward Katie Behrens. It was Behrens’ third goal of the year. The score remained 1-0 until Arkansas State’s Markie McRae scored off a corner kick in the 88th minute. The goal sent the game into overtime where the score remained 1-1 until the second overtime.

Just seconds into the second extra period, freshman midfielder Kendall Straessle took a deep shot that sailed over the head of ASU goalkeeper Adair Sauerwein and in. It was Straessle’s third goal of the season, her first game winner. The Skyhawks out shot Arkansas State 24-12 in the match.

UTM will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they travel to Flagstaff, Ariz., and play Northern Arizona University at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15.

Above written by Zane Gresback - UTM Sports Information

The Ohio Valley Conference came away with two wins in the first round of the Skyhawk Puma Soccer Invitational Friday afternoon at the Skyhawk Field. Murray State defeated Arkansas State 3-2, while tournament host UTM held off East Tennessee State University 3-2. Junior Katie Behrens scored her second unassisted goal of the match with less than six minutes to play and sealed the first win of the season for the UTM women’s soccer team.

Behrens’ goal gave the host Skyhawks a 3-2 victory over ETSU in the second match of the Skyhawk Puma Invitational Friday afternoon. With the victory the Skyhawks improve to 1-3-1 overall, while ETSU falls to 0-5. The Skyhawks return to action Sunday when they host Arkansas State at 2 p.m.

Behrens’ first goal of the match came at the 11:30 mark and gave the Skyhawks a 1-0 lead.

ETSU’s Monty Jordan tied the match at 1-1 at the 28:26 mark.

ETSU out shot the Skyhawks in the first half 9-1. In the second half, the Skyhawk defense stymied ETSU. Erin Jordan broke the 1-1 tie with her first goal of the season at the 63:14 mark. Kendall Straessle had the assist on the goal.

The Skyhawk lead was short-lived. ETSU tied the match at 2-all when Adrian Mobley scored at the 67:05 mark. Mobley’s shot was one of only three shots in the second half by ETSU.

The Skyhawks out shot ETSU 11-3 in the second half.

Following the Northern Arizona trip the Skyhawks will open the OVC season with road games against Eastern Illinois and SEMO. Their next home game will be Friday, Sept. 29 against fellow OVC member Tennessee Tech.

Murray State 3, Arkansas State 2

Murray State scored three unanswered goals before Arkansas State could answer in the first game of the Skyhawk Puma Invitational. Murray State posted a 3-2 win over Arkansas State to record its first win of the season.

Rebekah Clay scored two of Murray State’s three goals. Krista Llewellyn scored the third goal.

Markie McRae scored both of Arkansas State’s goals.

The Skyhawks and Racers did not meet in the tournament but will play each other in an OVC contest in Murray on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.