Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Martin Methodist (EX.)
Raiders Wrap Up Preseason Against Martin Methodist
8/13/2017 7:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer
PHOTO GALLERY
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Blue Raider women's soccer made the first home appearance of the 2017-18 Middle Tennessee athletic season on Sunday, hosting Martin Methodist in the final exhibition before the regular season kicks off.
The Raiders and Redhawks drew 1-1 in the contest, which was moved to Murfreesboro on Saturday due to flooding at MMC's home facility.
"We knew coming in that Martin Methodist was going to be a good team," said Head Coach Aston Rhoden. "They're a perennial NAIA final four type team but I think overall the game went pretty well for us, we created a lot of chances and just didn't put them away."
A solid Blue Raider crowd was on hand to see a number of debut performances despite the late location change, leaving Head Coach Aston Rhoden with some positive impressions of his young team.
"I think the level of play didn't drop when we rotated a lot of players in, so that's a big positive," Rhoden shared. "We have a lot more depth now than we did last year. I also think we are starting to find players that fit into certain positions a little bit better and are starting to find more combinations of players that work best. All in all this was a good game for us and a good test."
With the preseason now complete, the Blue Raiders turn their focus to Friday's season opener at Belmont. The Blue Raiders and Bruins are set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. in Nashville.
On Sunday, Middle Tennessee will host Austin Peay in its home opener at 6 p.m. following Fan Day.
"We constantly talk about working towards that first game and the days are counting down," said Rhoden. "That first game getting closer and I think the girls are pretty excited. It is certainly going to be a tough game. It is an in-state rival in Belmont and away from home, which is always a challenge. I think it's going to be a high energy game, and a very important match for both sides."
