Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont women's soccer is riding on a hot streak as it tallied its third consecutive victory Friday evening over UT Martin. Sophomore midfielder Karen Baker (Midland, Michigan) notched the game-winning goal in the first frame to lift the Bruins past the Skyhawks, 1-0, at Rose Park.
Just moments after stepping foot on the pitch in the 25th minute Baker and sophomore forward Allie Svoboda (Lisle, Ill.) teamed up to construct a beautiful set piece that led to what would end up being the game-winning goal. As Baker and Svoboda got the call to sub in they were set with the task to bring renewed energy to the field, they did just that. Svoboda worked her way down the field, dribbling through multiple defenders before relinquishing the ball to Baker. The Midland, Michigan native then took control of the ball and sent it past UT Martin's goalkeeper, MaKenzie Crawford, to clinch her first career goal and give BU a 1-0 advantage that would stand for the remainder of the match.
The Bruins (4-6-3, 3-2-0) saw a near goal the play before when freshman forward Anna Brock Hawkins (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) sent a bullet in from the top of the box, but the Skyhawks found favor from the crossbar as the ball ricocheted off the pipe. Hawkins got another great opportunity towards the end of the match when she took advantage of an unoccupied UT Martin goal after Crawford made a run for a previous ball. The rookie released a shot roughly 20 yards out, but the ball skidded to the right of the post and nearly missed finding the back of the net.
UT Martin (2-10-0, 0-5-0) was pressured the full 90 minutes as Belmont refused to give the Skyhawks any room to strike. The squad got their best look of the evening with about 10 minutes remaining in the match when Shannan Grattan sent a free kick flying. With help from gusty winds that picked up midgame, Grattan's ball attempted to sneak past BU goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) but had no such luck as the veteran took the wind into consideration and timed her leap perfectly to rob UT Martin of the potential equalizer.
As time was winding down, the Bruins continued to attack with sophomore midfielder Emily Whitcomb (Elmhurst, Ill.) coming within inches of increasing Belmont's lead. She danced with the ball a few times showing off her footwork on the UT Martin defense before firing a shot at the goal, but Crawford once again interrupted the shot and registered her seventh save of the match.
Belmont hasn't only been creating moves in the attacking third, but has also found ways to stop its opponents from scoring in the back. Bukovec recorded her third consecutive shutout this evening with help from stout BU defense. The reigning OVC Goalkeeper of the Week registered a pair of consecutive saves as she has now logged 271 minutes without allowing a single goal.
UP NEXT
Belmont will host Southeast Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 9 for its Think Pink match at E.S. Rose Park with kickoff slated for 2:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the match to show support for breast cancer awareness month. There will also be a place for those who'd like to donate to the Susan G. Coman cause at the marketing stand.
