Soccer Opens Conference Slate

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee opens conference action this Friday with a 5 p.m. CT match at Florida International in Miami, Fla. The Blue Raiders also take on Stetson in DeLand, Fla., Sunday at Noon CT over the weekend. The Blue Raiders and Panthers have met three previous times, with FIU winning all three matches over the last two seasons. Middle Tennessee lost 4-0 at FIU in 2000, then 1-0 at home last season. The two squads met in the first round of the SBC Tournament last season, as well, with the Panthers taking a 3-1 decision in Miami. The Panthers have struggled to find the win column this season, but their level of competition has certainly been some of the toughest in the nation. FIU has suffered losses to Western Carolina, Central Florida, Florida Atlantic, South Florida, Jacksonville, 11th-ranked Duke, No. 1 North Carolina, and Miami (FL) before opening conference action against the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee has never met Stetson on the pitch. The Hatters are 3-3 on the season and play Atlantic Sun foe Mercer on Friday before Sunday's contest against the Blue Raiders. SU has wins over Charleston Southern, Webber International and Thomas this season, as well as defeats to Miami (FL), South Florida and Gardner-Webb. "This is a very important weekend for us as a team," Middle Tennessee head coach Aston Rhoden said. "Hopefully the tough early-season schedule we have played will pay off in the conference, and that begins this weekend. Florida International has struggled to score this season, and we need to come out and score early and set a tone for the match. If we can do that, we have a good shot at getting a win to start the conference slate." The Blue Raiders do not return home until an October 4 date versus Arkansas-Little Rock at 4 p.m.

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

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