The University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team clinched a berth in the Ohio Valley Conference’s post-season tournament with a 1-1 tie against Murray State Sunday afternoon.

With conference matches against Eastern Illinois Friday and Southeast Missouri Sunday, the Skyhawks still have a chance to win the regular season championship and earn a right to host the four-team championship tournament.

“If we beat Eastern Illinois Friday, Sunday’s match against Southeast Missouri is for all the marbles,” said head soccer coach Nathan Pifer. “This is a big milestone for us,” Pifer said. “This is a quick turnaround and I am proud of the hard work the ladies put in. Now they are getting the success they deserve for their hard work and determination.”

Pifer, in his third season as head coach of the Skyhawks, has turned the five-year program into a contender after going 0-18 in his first season and 4-14 last season. “When you’re in you can win,” Pifer said in reference to the tournament and a possible championship. We are excited about what’s happening.”

Murray State junior forward Brooke Royer gave the Lady Racers a 1-0 lead at halftime, but they did not hold the lead for long.

UTM was able to get the ball back to midfield and set up some threats of its own. After taking a pass from freshman Dani Myrick, Christina Moore popped the ball in from 15 yards out to knot the game at 1-1 in the 60th minute of play.

Neither team was able to capitalize for the rest of the half, although each team had its moments, with many of the rushed kicks going high or wide.

The game ended in a 1-1 tie after two overtimes.

“We had our chances toward the end of the second half,” Pifer said. “I felt good about the way we played. Murray State has a lot of speed but we were able to contain it and cause some problems for them.”

Pifer said senior Tavi Renier played a key part in the tie. She had four shots in the match.

The tie was the second straight OVC tie for Murray State. Before this season, there had been only one tie in the Conference during the past four seasons. This year, there have been three OVC ties, with two of those involving Murray.

“This is one case where a tie is OK,” said MSU head coach Mike Minielli. “We’ve still got to put one more ball in the net and get it done. We had some chances, and the game was going like we planned. We’ve just got to get in there and finish it.” “I thought Tennessee-Martin did a better job of winning the ball,” says an encouraging Pifer. “They’re a very good team and have come a long way since last year,”