MARTIN, Tenn. – Once again Alabama A&M (2-6-0, 0-0-0 SWAC) delivered stellar defense but could not capitalize on offense as they dropped a 2-0 decision at UT-Martin (2-4-2, 0-0-0 OVC) in an NCAA Division I women's soccer game on Saturday, September 18.
That defense would be on full display in the first half as they scattered five shots, and had five of their own, not find the back of the net to send the teams to the break deadlocked at 0-0 at the half.
It would take until the 59
th minute for that to change as Brooke Kala found Makayla Robinson in front of the net, with the latter putting it home for a 1-0 lead. Following that one anomaly both clubs would return to their defensive ways over the next 27 minutes, with UTM turning away four shots and senior goalkeeper
Laura Jansa (Barcelona, Spain) facing three.
On their fourth shot of the half, the Skyhawks would connect again, this time late as Hannah Zahn took a pass from Megan Drake and drove it home for a 2-0 advantage with 85:59 to play. The Bulldogs would not get another shot off in the ensuing minutes as UTM closed out the two-goal victory.
A&M would deliver 10 shots on the game with freshman forward
Chelsie Charles (Los Angeles, Calif.) notching three of those, two on frame. The second most would come from Jansa, who came up from her keeper position to handle free kicks and put one on net while playing all 90 minutes between the pipes. There she would allow two scores and make six saves to fall to 2-6-0 on the year.
Zahn and Robinson recorded goals to lead the UT-Martin while Drake and Kala had the assists on those scores. Sophia Mankowski added three shots, two on net. Poppy Bastock started in goal and played 45 scoreless minutes before Rachel Pugh played the second half, make three saves and getting the win with her half of the shutout.
The Bulldogs have now closed out the non-conference portion of the season and will begin defense of their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Co-Regular Season Championship in earnest. That will begin with a Texas swing as they travel to Prairie View on Friday, September 23 and Texas Southern on Sunday, September 25. Kickoff for those games is 7 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
