Through the end of the 2019-20 academic year, we will be posting a season recap for each UTM athletic program. This edition of the “Skyhawk Season in Review” series features the soccer squad.
Last fall, the UTM soccer team posted an 8-6-5 overall record – equaling the most ties in a single-season in school history. The Skyhawks tallied a 6-2-2 mark in Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) play, finishing in third place in the regular season standings.
UTM clicked towards the end of the 2019 campaign, capping off the regular season with a five-match unbeaten streak – outscoring the opposition 14-5 in that span. The Skyhawks earned the right to host an OVC Championship quarterfinals match, falling to eventual tournament champion Belmont by a narrow 3-2 margin.
The UTM trio of Maria Castaldo (first team defender), Bella Roberts (second team midfielder) and Elin Berggren (second team defender) each captured All-OVC postseason accolades. The freshman tandem of Castaldo and Berggren were also named to the OVC’s All-Newcomer team.
Erica Meyers the OVC with five shutouts (four of which came in league play) and ranked 20th nationally with 104 saves. The junior out of Holland, Ohio was tabbed OVC Goalkeeper of the Week twice (Aug. 27, Sept. 24) and currently ranks second in Skyhawk history with 24 wins and 13 shutouts in goal.
Offensively, the Skyhawks were led by Jill Hildreth’s eight goals and Alice Adams’ five assists. Hildreth ranked 12th in the NCAA in shot accuracy (.647) and produced three multi-goal performances. Adams cracked into the program’s top-10 career list in assists (10) and shots (149).
Head coach Phil McNamara moved into fourth place on the list of all-time winningest coaches in OVC history with 98 victories. The 2019 campaign marked the seventh time in his 10 seasons at the helm that UTM placed in the top-four of the OVC standings.
Photo Credit / Sports Information
