UTM sophomore Dani Myrick scored two second-half goals to lead the Skyhawks to a 4-2 OVC win over visiting Murray State Sunday afternoon at Skyhawk Field.

The Skyhawks' win over Murray State was the first-ever against the OVC rival. A year ago the two teams played to a 1-1 overtime tie. Even with the win, the Skyhawks still trail the all-time series with Murray State 1-3-1.

"This was an important game," said Nathan Pifer, the Skyhawks head coach. "We focused and played a good game of soccer today. Honestly, this is a good sign to see us starting to play again like we did early on in the season. We were scared we weren't going to do it, but we came out and stayed focused and played hard."

The Skyhawks improved to 6-4-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the OVC with the win over Murray. The win also marked the end of a tough stretch for the Skyhawks where they tied Jacksonville State, lost to Samford and fell to non-conference Memphis.

The Skyhawks built a 2-0 lead against Murray State when Annie Cook and Katie Jackson scored midway through the first half. Cook scored off an assist from Jackson. Jackson's goal came via an assist from Jennifer Emery.

Murray State scored 10 minutes in to the second half, but Myrick answered with her first goal of the game, an incredible shot from the right corner of the field.

Six minutes later, Murray State's Theresa Reedy scored. Myrick answered with her second goal and the Skyhawks closed out the victory.

"Dani has been frustrated because she's been marked so heavily," Pifer said. "I tell her 'stay patient, stay focused, you're going to get yours.' She got two that we needed, that's for sure. She took it to them and showed she could do it. She put her goals in and that gives her a lot of confidence."

The Skyhawks step outside of conference play Tuesday (Oct. 14) to play Lipscomb University. This Friday and Sunday the Skyhawks will host OVC rivals Southeast Missouri State and Eastern Illinois.

"The weekend is huge," Pifer said. "We have two teams coming in from our conference that we have never beaten. We definitely want to welcome them to our house and see if can get them. When you're at home that's when you should be winning."