Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Louisiana-Lafayette
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Blue Raiders put share of SBC lead on line
10/12/2006 8:26:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee will put its share of the Sun Belt Conference lead on the line when it plays host to Louisiana-Lafayette in a pivotal league showdown at Blue Raider Field Friday at 7 p.m.
The Blue Raiders (12-2, 6-0) find themselves in a three-way logjam at the top, along with Denver and North Texas; however Louisiana-Lafayette is among five Sun Belt teams separated by two games at the top the of the standings. The Ragin' Cajuns (7-5-2, 4-2-0) have won four straight games for the first time in program history,, while Middle Tennessee has won six straight.
"It's another big conference weekend and it starts with a very talented Louisiana-Lafayette team," Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said. "They are playing with a great deal of confidence right now and they should be because they have put together a nice run. We will have to be focused and prepared, as always."
Focus has not been a problem for a Middle Tennessee team that has won 13 straight against SBC opponents. The Blue Raiders also have an 18-game win streak at Blue Raider Field in the works.
The Blue Raiders will put the nation's second-highest scoring offense on the field Friday night, averaging 4.07 goals per game. The offensive charge has been fueled by Holly Grogan, Kala Morgan, and Rebecca Rodriguez, all of whom are ranked in national statistics.
Morgan is third nationally in goals per game (0.93) and fourth in points per game (2.29), while Grogan is seventh in points (2.14), 11th in goals (0.79), and 17th in assists (0.57). Rodriguez is 25th nationally with 0.5 assists per game. The Blue Raiders' 85.7 winning percentage is sixth best nationally.
Middle Tennessee not only has been dominant offensively, but it also has been strong defensively. In conference games only, Middle Tennessee leads the SBC in goals allowed (2), goals-against-average, and shutouts. Freshman keeper Erynn Murray has climbed to the top of the league standings in goals-against-average and save percentage and her two shutouts are tied for second among SBC keepers.
Middle Tennessee will conclude its weekend series against Louisiana-Monroe Sunday at 1 p.m.
