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UTM proves 'Best offense is good defense'


When a team makes as big a turnaround as the Skyhawks have this season, the players on the offensive side of the ball tend to get a lot of the credit.

Overlooked most of the time are the players that are in the back doing the grunt work and keeping the other team from scoring.

Allowing only 22 goals in 16 games with four shutouts, the Skyhawk defense has really come through this season.

Seeing the most action in the back of the field are sophomore Meghann Jordan and freshmen Lindsey Tilk and Kitty Trent.

Jordan is an Animal Science major from Hendersonville, Trent is a Pre-med major from Norman, Okla. and Tilk is a Pre-pharmacy major from Edmond, Okla.

UTM was Jordan’s only choice as she thought it was her best chance to get to play in a good program that was building. Trent and Tilk looked to UTM as a way to get out of state, play soccer and to get on with a program with some promise. Trent and Tilk played club soccer together for the Oklahoma Shockers.

The three attribute some of their success this season to the communication that they have in the back. “There is a lot of chemistry with us,” said Jordan. “We understand each other and cover for each other and really don't have to say much,” said Tilk.

Jordan is the only one that had a great deal of experience on defense in high school. She was the defensive MVP at her high school. Trent and Tilk had spent most of their time on the offensive side of the ball, though they had played in almost every position.

Trent played midfield through most of high school and prefers the position but is comfortable with her place as the Skyhawks’ sweeper. Trent played everywhere in high school except for sweeper and goalkeeper. “I like playing in back,” said Tilk. “It is nice to concentrate on one position.”

Jordan feels that with this year’s group of freshmen and they way that the season has gone that “It’s all coming together.” She has loved seeing the progression of the team from last year to where it is now.

“I like being part of a program that is growing,” said Trent. “Knowing that you are part of the improvement and hearing about it is great,” said Tilk.

When it comes to UTM coach Nathan Pifer, the girls have nothing but praise. “I respect him a lot,” said Trent. “He has done a lot for us.”

“He’s put in a lot of work to build this program. I respect him for giving me the chance,” said Jordan.

Unity is a big word with the trio and part of the team’s success, they say, is attributed to that unity.

“There is a lot of unity, we are really good friends,” said Trent. “We go out all the time. We are together on and off the field,” said Jordan. Tilk backs up their words that also points out that that kind of unity is hard to come by in a group of 20 girls.

All three are happy here at UTM. “It is always a risk when picking out a college and when it turns out good, that makes it much better,” said Jordan. Trent and Tilk really enjoy the small campus and the small campus with the one-on-one attention that they can get in class.

Jordan attributes a lot of her success to her parents. “I didn’t know if I would play in college but they had faith in me the whole time,” said Jordan.

Trent thanks her family for helping her through but also gives a lot of credit to her self-drive. Tilk also credits her self-drive for getting her here. “I couldn’t picture myself not playing soccer in college,” said Tilk. Both Tilk and Trent give a lot of credit to their club team coach back in Oklahoma.

But, when the uniforms are off, these girls are still regular college students.

When not playing soccer, Jordan likes to spend time working out and hanging out with other athletes. She says that some of her best times have been “mud sliding at Martin Place apartments.” She also takes time when she can to catch up on friendships.

Trent, who claims to have not had any free time since arriving at UTM says that she likes to shop in her spare time, work out and go to church.

Tilk likes going to the movies and playing sports that she usually doesn't get to play, such as tennis and swimming. Tilk and Trent are also involved in the Student Affiliates of the American Chemistry Society (SAACS) and are also in the Student Activities Council (SAC) in the Publications Committee.

All three girls say they love spending time together watching Survivor and Friends.

The UTM Skyhawks will enter into the OVC tounrament ranked number three in the OVC.

The team’s only two losses come at the hands of Southeast Missouri State and Eastern Illinois.

Both losses the team plans to avenge at the tournament. Though the program is relatively young, it is proving that the team is not only here to stay, but here to win as well.