COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- Freshmen
Becca Smith and
Taylor Davidson posted stellar performances in their collegiate debuts as the Lady Mocs (1-0) posted a 3-0 shutout over Tennessee Tech (0-2) at the Tech Soccer Field in Chattanooga's season opener Friday afternoon.
Forward Becca Smith (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) netted a hattrick while keeper Taylor Davidson (Chattanooga) posted a two-save shutout. The Lady Mocs got off to an explosive start as Smith netted the game-winner in the second minute off an assist from the team's leading scorer last season, sophomore D.K. Henry (Queens Village, N.Y.). Neither team would find the net the remainder of the half, but Chattanooga would outshoot the Golden Eagles 10-4 in the first half.
"We had not yet been tested, so we had no idea how we were going to play," Lady Mocs Head Coach J.D. Kzyer said. "But I was very proud of them. After we scored the first goal, we kept our composure for the next 30 minutes. There is a possibility that you can get too relaxed after a score, especially one that early."
It would be nearly 20 minutes into the second half before Smith would score again, but she would get back-to-back goals in a span of 1:35. At the 64:11 mark, Smith took a free kick from five yards outside the box to put UTC up 2-0. She would nab the hattrick in the 66th minute as she took a pass from freshman Anna Cusick (Norcross, Ga.) and beat out TTU keeper Kaitlyn Thacker to tap it in for the 3-0 lead.
The Lady Mocs outshot the Golden Eagles 23-7 and had seven corner kicks to Tech's six. Davidson grabbed just two saves as the Lady Mocs defense held off the Eagles. Thacker had nine saves on the day.
UTC's Smith and Henry each shot eight times and combined for eight shots on goal. Kelly Downs (Hixson, Tenn.) had two shots with both on goal while five other Lady Mocs each had one shot. Seven Tech players each took one shot with freshmen Leigh Heffner and Jacquie Watkins each having one on goal.
"The percentage of shots taken (23) and shots on goal (12) is impressive," Kyzer said. "I'm very proud of them, but it was really nice when that final whistle blew."
Kyzer started four newcomers including three freshmen while eight more newcomers hit the pitch in the Lady Mocs' opening game. Chattanooga was whistled for five cards while the Golden Eagles had just one.
The Lady Mocs will host Lipscomb to open the home portion of its schedule Friday, Sept. 4 at the North River Soccer Complex. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. and admission is always free.
Scoring
No. Time Team Goal Scorer Assist
1. 1:24 UTC Becca Smith (1) D.K. Henry
2. 64:11 UTC Becca Smith (2) unassisted (free kick)
3. 65:46 UTC Becca Smith (3) Anna Cusick
