CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga forward Chloe Arnold scored the game winning goal on Senior Day at the UTC Sports Complex in a 1-0 win over Mercer in Southern Conference women's soccer action.
 
"Another big win," a smiling McKinney said after the game. "Hard-fought again. I thought Mercer was really good today. They put us on the back foot. They were dangerous in moments."
 
The Mocs score came in the 13^th minute when senior Osa Iyare passed the ball to Arnold.
 
"I dribbled into the box and shot it into the lower left-hand corner," the Bristol, Tenn., senior said. The goal was her third of the season and 24^th of a career that was celebrated just before kick-off.
 
The Mocs were able to keep the Bears out of the net on a windy, mostly sunny day. While each team had eight shots, the Mocs outpaced Mercer 6-1 on shots on goal.
 
Chattanooga keeper Abbey Saddler tallied her fifth career shutout and had just one save, a testament to the Mocs' defense that has only allowed four goals this season.
 
"We said it after the game Friday, that part of our team identity is how we've defended over the last few years," McKinney said. "Phenomenal stuff from us when we're under pressure just to keep a clean sheet. Really proud of the effort from the girls."
 
Saddler made one save and Mercer keeper Jordyn Ebert had five. Ally Fordham and Kendall Cook had three shots apiece for the Bears while Arnold and Iyare had two tries each to lead Chattanooga.
 
Chattanooga closes out the regular season next weekend at UNCG Thursday and VMI on Saturday. The top four teams in the SoCon standings will move on to the postseason with the top two seeds hosting Nos. 3 and 4 in the semifinal round on April 9 or 10.
 
SENIOR DAY
The Mocs honored seniors Chloe Arnold, Lauren Dluzewski, Osa Iyare and Emily Szymanski. Arnold and Szymanski's parents escorted their daughters onto the field while Canadians Dluzewski and Iyare did not have parents at the match due to the pandemic. Strength and conditioning coach Colin Engstrom walked out with Iyare and Maggie and Samantha Shaw accompanied Dluzewski.
 
NOTES
- Chattanooga beat Mercer 1-0 … UTC improves to 6-1-1 overall and 5-1-1 in Southern Conference play … Mercer falls to 7-9-1, 4-3-0 SoCon.
- UTC is 5-4-2 against Mercer overall and 2-3-2 in SoCon play … won first game since 2016.
- The Mocs hold on to third place in the SoCon standings, one point behind Samford and four ahead of Mercer.
- Chloe Arnold moved to fourth on the Mocs' all-time scoring chart with 55 career points, passing Elfa Erlingsdottir (2002-05).
- Abbey Saddler moved to fourth all-time at UTC for shutouts with five over the last two seasons.
 
 
 
QUOTES
Head Coach Gavin McKinney postgame
"Another big win. Hard-fought again. I thought Mercer was really good today. They put us on the back foot. They were dangerous in moments. We said it after the game on Friday, that part of our team identity is how we've defended over the last few years. Phenomenal stuff from us when we were under pressure just to keep a clean sheet. Really proud of the effort from the girls."
 
"Delighted for Chloe. She's had a phenomenal career and a really good senior year. We need to keep it going into Thursday and Saturday against UNCG and VMI. I think the group as a whole, and all of the seniors, and every player that got on the pitch I thought were fantastic for us. We need to keep going."