| UTM's Buehler earns first career OVC weekly honor |
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Posted: Thursday, November 5, 2009 5:26 pm
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BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin freshman goalkeeper Aubrey Buehler was named Ohio Valley Conference Co-Goalkeeper of the Week today, the league announced Tuesday. Buehler shared the award with Southeast Missouri goalkeeper Kristen Starkey.
The 5-9 Buehler has been stellar in goal all season long for head coach Craig Roberts, as the Skyhawks approach this week’s OVC Tournament as the league’s co-champion and No. 2 seed, and winners of six of its last seven matches.
“Aubrey has continued to address the areas she needs to work on,” Roberts said. “As she has done that, she has grown as an individual and as a player.”
Buehler was in goal for the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois, which clinched UT Martin’s first-ever share of the OVC title. Buehler was there for a clutch save in the 62nd minute to keep the match scoreless, as the Skyhawks eventually won on a goal by Kendyl Wilson in the 81st minute.
When called upon this season, Buehler has risen to the occasion several times. Buehler has tallied four or more saves in seven different matches in 2009, including a career-best eight stops in UT Martin’s 2-0 win over Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 16.
The Waukesha, Wis., native has spent all but 49:43 in goal this season, starting all 15 matches and allowing a paltry 0.82 goals against average during the regular season. Buehler’s strong play directly led the Skyhawks to be ranked as high as No. 20 in the NCAA Division I GAA statistical rankings at one point this season.
Buehler has racked up five shutouts in 2009, which already ranks her in a three-way tie for the fourth-highest total in program history. In eight conference matches this season, Buehler yielded only five goals.
The weekly honoree is the 25th mention in UT Martin soccer history, 16 of which have come in Roberts’ four seasons at the helm of the Skyhawk program. The Skyhawks have now earned five players of the week in 2009, tying an all-time mark for most in one season (five in 2008). Buehler is also just the third Skyhawk goalkeeper to be recognized with this award in program history.
The Skyhawks (9-6-0, 6-2 OVC) received a first-round bye into the OVC Tournament at Jayne Stadium in Morehead, Ky., and will automatically advance to the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time. UT Martin will face the winner of the No. 3 seed Murray State and No. 6 seed Eastern Kentucky match. During the regular season, the Skyhawks went 2-0 against Murray State and Eastern Kentucky, defeating both teams by 2-0 margins at home.
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