UT Martin women’s soccer team huddles ahead of matchup against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at Skyhawk Soccer Field. (Photo Credit / UTM Athletics)
UT Martin Skyhawks women’s soccer is back in action and off to a hot start through four games.
The season opener took place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, against the UT Chattanooga Mocs.
Both teams were scoreless until the 77′ minute when the first strike came from UT Chattanooga sophomore forward Quinn Johnson to take a late lead, leaving UT Martin scrambling.
In the 90′ minute, UT Martin sent a free kick from UT Chattanooga’s side of the pitch into the box where, after VAR review, junior defender Allie Carroll was fouled and awarded a penalty. Carroll then converted for a goal with just 56 seconds remaining, allowing UT Martin to walk away with a season opening tie.
“My teammates looked at me and said we have faith in you…I owe it to them, they gave me the confidence that really helped me be able to score that,” said Carroll on the late penalty attempt.
Starting the season with a record of 0-0-1, UT Martin’s first win came in the following game against the Chicago State Cougars on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.
The first strike of the match came from sophomore forward Alex Weihs off of an assist from senior forward Peyton Cook to open the second half. Following this goal, junior midfielder Unni Wolf would go back to back in the 58′ and 66′ minute to give UT Martin the 3-0 lead with 24 minutes remaining.
In the 79′ minute, junior forward Alberte Amby would cap off the 4-0 domination. This also marked graduate goalkeeper Mac Titus’ first clean sheet of the season.
“It’s comforting to have such talented players in front me, as cliche as that may sound,” Titus said. “I couldn’t do what I do without the confidence that I have with the people in front of me.”
Following the Chicago State match, the Skyhawks would host their home opener against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at Skyhawk Soccer Field.
In both halves, UT Martin had a clear advantage in the possession battle but made nothing of it. This matchup for the Skyhawks marked the first scoreless game of the season.
Titus was able to corral her second clean sheet of the season through just three games, recording three saves to keep UT Martin out of the loss category, holding a record of 1-0-2.
Staying on the road, the Skyhawks’ next opponent was the Illinois State Redbirds on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Normal, Illinois.
Scoring came early for the Redbirds as junior forward Eve Gricius sent a corner kick into the box, setting up sophomore defender Grace Petrie to score a header in the 24′ minute.
The Redbirds held the lead until the 84′ minute, where Cook got senior midfielder Ella Rucka on the run to set up sophomore midfielder Addy McCleary, who found the top corner of the net for the equalizer.
As time expired, the Skyhawks would tie again, holding a record of 1-0-3. The last time UT Martin went four games with no loses was in 2014 when the team started with a 4-0-0 record.
Moving forward in the season, Head Coach Mike Varga has high confidence in his team.
“We have a lot of new faces…so they’re still learning the new system, but a lot of good things have and are still to happen,” said Varga.
The Skyhawks have one more game on the road against their long-time rival Murray State Racers on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. before returning home to Martin. The last matchup between the two teams went in favor of the Racers, walking away with a 2-1 win at Skyhawk Soccer Field.
