Bulldogs Set To Host UT Martin In Friday's OVC Opener :: Samford and Tennessee-Martin currently lead the OVC with identical 5-3 overall records

Samford and Tennessee-Martin currently lead the OVC with identical 5-3 overall records

Sept. 27, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University soccer team will begin play in its 2007 Ohio Valley Conference schedule Friday as the four-time defending regular-season champion Bulldogs host the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at 7 p.m., at Bulldog Field.

Admission is free to all of Samford's home soccer matches and fans unable to attend Friday's contest in person can follow live on the internet via Samford's free GameTracker at www.SamfordSports.com.

"This is the beginning of a new season for us," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "The conference season is really the only season that counts and our goal is to win the OVC championship. There is a lot of tough competition in the league and we know that if we don't show up to play each match, then it's going to be tough to win."

Samford (5-3) heads into Friday's OVC-opening matchup as the league's preseason favorite to win the conference's regular-season championship. The Bulldogs joined the OVC in 2003 and have rattled off four-consecutive regular-season titles. In 2005, Samford advanced to the NCAA Tournament and knocked off 19th-ranked Vanderbilt in the first round.

Last year, the Bulldogs finished conference play with an undefeated 6-0-3 record and hosted the four-team OVC Tournament for a third time in the previous four seasons.

Samford has played against the toughest non-conference schedule in the OVC this year. All three of the Bulldogs' losses in 2007 have come against regionally-ranked teams. Last week, Samford hosted Auburn and UAB at Bulldog Field and earned a 1-1 split against teams ranked in the talent-laden Southeast Region.

On Sunday, Samford posted a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against UAB. The Bulldogs' sophomore forward Natalie Fleming scored the golden goal to defeat the Southeast Region's 11th-ranked team.

"Our players have a very positive feeling right now and we've had a good week of practice," Yelton said. "We've been playing with a lot of confidence lately and we have great camaraderie within the team. Everyone is on the same page and the players are making personal sacrifices in order to reach the team's goals."

Tennessee-Martin (5-3) heads into Friday's contest riding the positive momentum of a two-match winning streak. Last week, the Skyhawks compiled a 2-0 record with road victories against Arkansas State 2-0 and Lambuth 7-1.

Behind the firepower of All-OVC performer Katie Behrens, Tennessee-Martin is leading the conference in nearly every offensive category. The Skyhawks are pacing the OVC in goals (28), assists (19) and shots (140).

"Tennessee-Martin is a very well-coached team," said Yelton. "They are always organized and will be a difficult challenge for us on Friday. I think that (Head Coach) Craig (Roberts) has done an outstanding job with his team and they are having a great season so far."

Tennessee-Martin's three losses this season have come against Pacific 1-0, Hawaii 3-0 and Memphis 4-1. Earlier this year, Samford defeated Memphis 1-0 to add towards its all-time 6-5 record versus Conference USA opponents.

In the all-time series between Samford and Tennessee-Martin, the Bulldogs own an undefeated 3-0-1 record.

The Skyhawks have never scored a goal against Samford, but in last season's meeting the teams played to a 0-0 draw in Martin, Tenn. The Bulldogs have outscored the Skyhawks 4-0 since joining the OVC.

"I think that Tennessee-Martin is a very good team," Yelton said. "They have been extremely impressive this season and they played us very tough a year ago. We know that every year is a new year and last season's match won't have much impact on what takes place tomorrow."

Samford's defense has only allowed nine goals this season and is currently ranked second in the OVC. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs swept the conference's defensive awards as Cindy Spiker was named the defensive player of the week and goalkeeper Cayley Winters earned her second goalkeeper honor of the 2007 campaign.

Following Samford's OVC-opening contest against Tennessee-Martin on Friday, the Bulldogs will next be in action Sunday as they conclude their current four-match homestand at 2 p.m., versus the Murray State Racers.

GameTracker - Samford vs. UT Martin