Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Clemson
ACC power Clemson next challenge for Middle Tennessee
9/15/2005 5:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Blue Raiders (4-2) have performed well against tough competition thus far on the season with their only losses being 2-0 setbacks to Georgia and Vanderbilt - a pair of Top 25 teams - and they will get another stiff challenge against the Tigers (4-1-1) at Historic Riggs Field.
"Clemson's tradition speaks for itself. They are traditionally one of the powers of women's soccer so we feel like it's a great opportunity for us to test our skills before conference play to see how well we can perform against a quality opponent on the road," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Aston Rhoden said. "We are not very consistent right now. Some games we play excellent and others we don't so I think the biggest challenge for us right now is can we put it together for a full 90 minutes. We are doing it in spurts.
"The newcomers have adapted well but with the type of schedule we have it doesn't give anyone a breather."
Rebecca Rodriguez, who is among the national leaders in points, goals and assists, leads Middle Tennessee. The junior forward is tied for fourth nationally in points (22), is fifth in assists (six) and is tied for 10th in goals (eight). Clemson is coming off wins over South Carolina and Furman in Carolina's Cup Tournament and is led in scoring by senior midfielder Allison Graham with three goals and five assists for 11 points.
While the road game at Clemson is a tough challenge, the weekend doesn't get easier when the Blue Raiders play host to Conference USA opponent, Memphis, Sunday at 2 p.m.
"As far as non-conference play this is probably the toughest weekend for us yet," Rhoden said. "We are just hoping we can minimize our injuries and have a good performance, while improving in areas where we have not played as well. These two teams definitely will test us and stretch us. The whole point of having these games on our schedule is to make sure we are prepared for (Sun Belt) Conference play."
Middle Tennessee's defense has been commendable during the first third of the season with strong play in the midfield and along the back line. The Blue Raiders are among Sun Belt leaders in goals allowed, shutouts and goals-against-average. The consistent play of Kaley Forrest, Katy Rayburn, Ingrid Christensen, Katie Daley, Nenita Burgess, and senior keeper Danielle Perreault has keyed the defensive stand.
Middle Tennessee junior defender Sara Wohlhueter, a preseason All-SBC selection, will miss her fifth straight game with a stress fracture, and the injury report is rather lengthy for several other mainstays. Perreault, senior midfielder Claire Ward, Forrest and Christensen all are questionable for Friday's match at Clemson.
"We have been unfortunate with some nagging injuries that have affected our level of play," Rhoden said. "We hope they can play but at the end of the day we want to protect them to make sure they are prepared for our most important part of the season, which is conference play."
NOTES: The Middle Tennessee soccer team will be signing autographs beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Greenland Drive Parking Lot during tailgating activities for the football game against Akron ... The Blue Raiders will receive their Sun Belt Conference championship rings during an on-field ceremony after the first quarter of the football game ... Captains Ward and Wohlhueter will be halftime guests on the Blue Raider Radio Network Saturday ... Middle Tennessee's 4-2 record is the second-best start in program history.
