MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State Soccer team earned its first point of the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference season, playing to a 0-0 draw against the University of Tennessee at Martin on Thursday night at Skyhawk Soccer Field in Martin, Tenn.

This was MSU's first tie since the final game of the 2025 regular season, when the Eagles tied Southeast Missouri State, 0-0. 

UT Martin is no stranger to ties this season. The Skyhawks have now tied seven times out of their 15 total games played. Their seven ties is tied for the fourth most in NCAA Division I. 

"Points on the road are always tough and we've done an excellent job tonight keeping a clean sheet," said Head Coach Paul Cox. "I'm proud of the girls. It was a massive performance. I'm really proud of Amira (Hendrick) for her first start and clean sheet. The back four in front of her were excellent as well."

Morehead State and UT Martin kicked off at 7:00 p.m. ET, activating the only midweek conference game of the season for each team.

UT Martin was quick to its offensive foot. Gi Verdi launched a shot from 20-25 yards out in the first 125 seconds that was saved by new Eagle goalkeeper, Amira Hendrick.

The Eagles pushed the tempo in the seventh minute, as Ashton Lynam played a pass to Faith Peper in stride. Peper battled shoulder-to-shoulder with a Skyhawk defender before getting a shot off that was saved by UT Martin goalkeeper Mac Titus.

In the 11th minute, the Skyhawks attempted two more shots, both of which were saved by Hendrick. The first was a free kick taken at midfield by Titus, and the second was a deep shot from 30-35 yards out by Reece Windsor. 

In the 17th minute, Peper sent a ball into the box toward three of her Eagle teammates. The ball eventually ricocheted to Lynam, who fired a shot just inside the left post, but Titus made a diving save to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard. 

A combined three shots were recorded in the final 20 minutes, but both teams entered halftime knotted up at zero.

It was all Skyhawk offense in the second half, as they outshot MSU 9-0, with only two of the nine shots finishing on target. 

UT Martin attempted four shots between the 62nd and 66th minutes, with Addy McCleary recording the closest attempt. However, Hendrick made a diving save to her right to keep the game scoreless.

The Skyhawks would attempt four final shots between the 68th minute and the final whistle. The final shot came off the foot of Alex Weihs, a desperation shot from above the penalty arc that was saved by Hendrick to preserve the game at a 0-0 tie.

MSU was outshot by UTM 14-4 in the contest. The Skyhawks recorded six corner kicks to the Eagles' four. Morehead State was whistled for 10 fouls compared to UT Martin's eight. UTM was flagged for four offsides, while MSU was called for just one. Morehead State was issued one yellow card.

Morehead State led the contest in saves, 6-3. 

Hendrick received the nod for her first collegiate start in replacement of the injured Allie Lammers. Hendrick recorded the first collegiate shutout of her career. 

When asked about her performance tonight, she shifted the spotlight to her team.

"The energy from the team tonight speaks for itself," said Hendrick. "It's an honor to lead from the goal, and create an atmosphere that the team can thrive on throughout the game."

MSU improved to 5-9-1, ending its four game losing streak (three in conference). 

UT Martin is now 3-5-7 on the season.

Morehead State is now 5-2-2 vs. UTM since the spring of 2021, and 6-7-2 overall in Martin, Tenn. 

The Eagles will be back in action at home, on Sunday, Oct. 18, when they take on Eastern Illinois for MSU's third-to-final regular season match of the season.

Sunday's contest is Senior Day, honoring the four Eagle seniors: Gwen Ladd, Hannah Burke, Molly Tapak and Hannah Carter.