Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky
Blue Raiders Return Home To Face Rival WKU
10/21/2004 6:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Blue Raiders (9-4-1, 3-1-1 SBC), have won four straight and five of their last seven heading into Friday's match against Western Kentucky (7-7-0, 2-3-0 SBC). Middle Tennessee third-year coach Aston Rhoden said his team is focused on the task at hand as they return home after a successful road trip that included a double-overtime win at Denver and a double-overtime draw at North Texas last weekend.
"Western Kentucky is going to come in here as a very tough opponent," Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said. "They want to beat us just like they do in every sport. I'm proud of the hard work our players have put in to be in this position down the stretch but it's still a matter of the task at hand."
Middle Tennessee had made steady progress throughout the season, combining strong defense with a high-powered offense, but here's a scary thought.
"I still do not believe we have played our best game," Rhoden said. "We have won games because we were the better team. We have won some games because we have wanted it more. We have not had the game, yet, where we are the better team and still want it more. We haven't seen that but we need to see it soon because we are running out of time before the conference tournament."
Being strong in all areas also has keyed a successful Blue Raider campaign in 2004. Middle Tennessee has recorded six shutouts with a freshman at keeper, and two sophomores and two freshmen starting on defense. At the other end of the spectrum, the Blue Raiders feature the nation's No. 2 scoring offense at 3.85 goals per game.
Senior forward Debs Brereton leads the SBC in goals (13) and points (33), while standing tied for second in assists (7) with teammate Laura Miguez and Louisiana-Lafayette's Mette Olesen.
Middle Tennessee enters today's match unbeaten in six home games and has an eight-game winning streak dating to last season. The Blue Raiders have outscored opponents, 38-2, on the home turf this season.
Western Kentucky also has been a strong squad in the Sun Belt this season. The Hilltoppers are in the middle of a four-match road swing and enter the Middle Tennessee contest averaging 2.3 goals per game.
