CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Freshmen Sylvie Keck and Kelly Tuerff each found the back of the net Sunday afternoon to give the Chattanooga soccer team a 2-0 win over VMI in Southern Conference action at the UTC Sports Complex.
 
"We're proud of them taking their chance," Mocs head coach Gavin McKinney said. "Sylvie's goal was fantastic. Kelly took her goal really well in the second half. Delighted with those two. It was a group effort overall, another clean sheet."
 
Keck, after being admonished by head coach Gavin McKinney to "smash it", did just that a few minutes later with her first collegiate goal and the game winner in the third minute.
 
"She actually hit one before that and I yelled out at her to smash the next one," McKinney said. "She took my advice and buried it in the back of the net."
 
In the 57^th minute Tuerff took advantage of an open net for the insurance goal and her first of her collegiate career.
 
The VMI keeper came out of the net to corral the ball at the top of the 18-yard box, but was unable to get her hands around it. Tuerff came flying in, picked up the ball going from left to right just outside the box. She made her way into the top right side, gathered the ball and fired into an open net.
 
The win moves UTC to 4-5-2 overall and 1-0-1 in conference play. The Keydets fall to 2-9 on the year and 0-2 against the league.
 
"VMI is always a really difficult game," McKinney stated. "They're organized, they're tough, they battle, so that's a really good three points."
 
The shutout is the fifth for UTC this season and third straight.
 
"Three in a row," McKinney said. "That's fantastic for the group is not conceding a goal in three games now. Hopefully we can keep that run going. We've done it in past years. We've got on a good run of form and right now we're in the heat of conference play. If we can keep defending well and take chances like we did today, we'll be okay."
 
Chattanooga hits the road to take on The Citadel Friday morning and Mercer Sunday afternoon. Friday's match time has moved up to an 11:00 a.m. start. Log onto GoMocs.com for links to both matches.
 
SCHEDULE NOTES:

• Chattanooga has just two home regular season matches remaining.
  • Oct. 8 vs. Furman is Breast Cancer Awareness day. Wear your pink to the game.
  • Oct. 10 vs. Wofford is Senior Day. The Mocs will honor seniors Maddie Burman and Samantha Shaw.

 
POSTGAME NOTES

• Chattanooga beat VMI 2-0 … UTC improves to 4-5-2 overall and 1-0-1 in SoCon … VMI falls to 2-9 on the year and 0-2 in league play.
• Win is third straight against the Keydets.
• Fifth shutout of the season and third straight.
• Goals were scored by freshman Sylvie Keck and Kelly Tuerff … it was the first collegiate goal for each.