A week into the 2019 season, the Eastern women’s soccer team’s blowout loss to open the season is fresh on the mind. But, regardless of where the team currently stands, the Panthers could certainly be competitive when conference play begins in late September. That noted, here are two matches- one of which involves Eastern-observers should keep tabs on.

-Eastern at Tennessee-Martin (Sept. 20)

This game should be of particular interest for a number of reasons, but the most intriguing backstory, barring any unforeseen injuries, will be a match within the match. 

This conference opener will pit Eastern senior Sara Teteak against Erika Myers of Tennessee-Martin, goalies who shared the distinction of attaining more shutouts than any other in the OVC. 

The sheer fact that the opposing goalies were equally effective in the net should be an appealing subplot, one that will ultimately decide the final outcome of the match.

-Tennessee-Martin at Murray State (Sept. 27)

Nothing can quite beat a reunion of two teams that slipped to the front of a crowded OVC pack, with the Racers earning an invitation to the NCAA tournament and the Skyhawks riding a wave of momentum to reach the apex of the conference in the regular season. 

Believed to be an inexorable force after going undefeated the season prior, Murray State generated enough excitement among opposing coaches and sports information directors who felt obliged to bestow the honor on the Racers in lieu of Tennessee-Martin, recognizing the recruitment acumen of the coaching staff. 

But, in doing so, they failed to recall that the one person responsible for the team’s success in these endeavors, Jeremy Groves, departed southwestern Kentucky for a position as head coach of Central Michigan. The committee of 16 dismissed one of Tennessee-Martin’s most dramatic about-faces in the program’s existence, in which the Skyhawks, a year removed from finishing last, snuck past five teams to position themselves as a playoff ball club. 

With the lowest of expectations, Tennessee-Martin flipped those predictions on their head, succumbing to Murray State in the championship match. This time around, however, the committee has been more generous to Tennessee-Martin, cognizant of the Skyhawks placement as a top 70 team in the NCAA per the rating percentage index and their presence as a top-10 team in the nation for several statistical categories. 

Now, just as before, Murray State has been selected to come out of the conference at number one. Below Murray State? If the Skyhawks needed any added motivation, they can find it in the results of the polling conducted before the preseason matches had been settled. 

Tom O’Connor can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]