Box Score Martin, Tenn. -- Belmont University women's soccer defeated UT Martin, 1-0, Thursday night.
Maci Pekmezian's 75th minute tally proved decisive.
The Bruins, Skyhawks and SIUE are in a three-way tie for first place at 15 points in the Ohio Valley Conference.
"The energy from everyone was tremendous tonight," said Belmont head coach Heather Henson. "The entire team earned this win against a quality UT Martin team. UT Martin is a well coached and organized team. I am proud of the way we responded tonight."
"The ladies battled, every minute of the game they brought it. The energy on the field, the energy on the bench, from the bench onto the field, "The girls battled, every minute of the game they brought it. The energy on the field, the energy on the bench, every player who stepped on the field sparked us to about her level," Henson added.
The Bruins kept their cool in the beginning of the first half. Belmont showed off how defensively sound they are on the pitch. The Skyhawks only recorded three shots in the first half against goalkeeper Andrea Leitner. It was a very evenly matched first half with the Bruins recording two shots.
The second half was a back and forth battle between the Bruins and the Skyhawks. In the 61st minute of the match a shot was sent into Leitner after a corner kick. Leitner had a beautiful save moving the ball across her body to protect the net for the Bruins.
Moments later after a UT Martin foul in the Bruins' attacking third, a quick trick play between Haley Poynter and Anna Sweeney at the top of the eighteen was ultimately saved by the Skyhawks' goalkeeper.
From there, Keely Cartrett took the ball through the midfield making it to the eighteen; she then drew the goalie off of her line with her shot attempt striking a Skyhawk defender in the hand.
The handball in the box earned the Bruins a penalty kick.
Pekmezian took the penalty kick for the Bruins, soaring it past the Skyhawks keeper. This was Pekmezian's fourth goal of the season, with all four as game-winning goals.
Pekmezian now shares team goal scoring honors with Loren House.
"We have Sarah Doyle and she's the best penalty kick saver, so I've had the best practice. I've always liked taking penalty kicks, as soon as it was called, I got it. We've been working on them in practice and my confidence was up and that's all penalty kicks are, confidence," Pekmezian told belmontbruins.com.
"Just watching Maci over the year, coming in last year as a freshman not having a fall season in general having a shortened spring season. She has come in ready to play with a veteran mentality. Her composure allows her to be so even and so confident, she knows her strengths and she drives them," Henson said.
Leitner was tested, particularly in the second half of the goal by the Skyhawks offense. Ultimately, earning her sixth shutout of the season for the Bruins. Leitner recorded three saves for the night.
The Bruins recorded four shots on the Skyhawk defense.
"Come out for senior night, baby," Pekmezian added joyfully.
The Bruins are hosting their senior celebration this Sunday, Oct. 24 against SIUE at 2 p.m. at E.S. Rose Park.
Follow Belmont women's soccer on social media - @BelmontWSoccer on Twitter and @belmont.wsoccer on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
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