The Skyhawks opened OVC action this weekend with road trips to Cookeville and Clarksville where they suffered heartbreaking overtime losses to both Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay.

In Friday’s match UTM opened the game against the TTU Golden Eagles strongly, but were unable to stop Joni Simmons, who contributed on all of the Tech goals, en route to a 3-2 victory.

UTM jumped out to an early lead when junior defender Jamie Olheiser scored 18 minutes into the match, but Simmons answered the Skyhawk’s opening goal only four minutes later.

Simmons would later give Tech the lead after being fouled in the box and scoring on a penalty kick. The Tech defense would hold UTM scoreless for the rest of the first half, and maintain a 2-1 lead at the break.

The Skyhawks would tie the game up early in the second half when senior Lindsey Tilk netted an indirect kick for her second career goal as a Skyhawk.

Throughout the rest of the second half UTM would be limited to only three more scoring opportunities and were unable to convert on any of them, largely due to the tremendous play of Tech goalie Lisa Wourms who finished the day with seven saves.

Now for the third game in a row, the Skyhawks were forced into an overtime period.

UTM was again unable to stop Simmions as she picked up an assist finding teammate Rebecca Ross cutting across the box who put in the game winner for Tech.

Head coach Nathan Pifer said of the game that “it is hard to come into another person’s field, but it would have been great to come out with a point at least.” Pifer said of Simmons domination that “she had a great day ... we had our best on their best, but our best didn’t stop her.”

On Sunday the Skyhawks visited the Lady Governors of Austin Peay where the remnants of Hurricane Rita wasn’t all that was raining on the Skyhawks day. In the difficult playing conditions both teams were hampered and battled to a scoreless tie at the half.

In the 80th minute sophomore Katie Berhens netted an unassisted goal for the Skyhawks, putting them in great position to pick up their first OVC win of the season and continue their unbeaten streak against Austin Peay.

As time was running out on the second half and the Austin Peay fans were heading to the parking lot, Lady Gov Ashley Beck scored the game tieing goal with only 18 seconds remaining.

Fans quickly returned to their seats, and the Skyhawks were forced into yet another overtime game; their fourth in as many games.

Austin Peay and UTM both traded shots back and fourth during the overtime, but were unable to convert on any thanks to strong play in goal from both goalkeepers.

In the second minute of the second overtime, APSU’s Jessica Hosse sent a corner kick into the box that was headed in by Heather Miller.

Pifer said of the Skyhawks third consecutive overtime loss that they had some “key mistakes that ultimately cost them.”

The loss dropped the Skyhawks overall record to 5-6-0 (0-2 OVC) and below .500 for the first time this season since their opening loss to Centenary.

Overtime has not been kind to Skyhawk soccer this year as they are 1-3 in games requiring extra time. With the loss, UTM’s all-time record in overtime games dropped to 3-9-8.

UTM will look to end their losing streak this weekend as they return home, where they are undefeated this season.

On Friday at 4 p.m., OVC newcomer Eastern Kentucky will make its first ever trip to Martin for a soccer match. Sunday at 2 p.m. the Skyhawks will welcome Morehead State to town.