Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Vanderbilt
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Surging Blue Raiders at Vanderbilt Sunday
9/16/2006 12:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee closes out the non-conference portion of its schedule with a stern test at Vanderbilt Sunday at 2 p.m., looking to gain momentum heading into what expects to be a tightly-contested Sun Belt Conference race.
Vanderbilt also opens league play next weekend when it ventures into the Southeastern Conference chase; however, Sunday's match isn't just about gaining much-needed momentum for either team.
The match pits two of the top soccer teams in the loaded Central Region as Vanderbilt (3-1-3) is ranked No. 6 in the Central Region by Soccer America and No. 13 by Soccer Buzz. Middle Tennessee is presently ranked No. 16 in the 68-team field. The contest will be carried live on GoBlueRaiders.com with David Powell providing the play-by-play.
"This should be an exciting match for soccer fans in the area," Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said. "Vanderbilt is a very good team, solid all-around, and they are very well coached. As I have said before, we schedule these games to help prepare us for our conference race. We have played well and continued to improve throughout the non-conference portion of our schedule. Sunday's game will be another good measuring stick for our team."
Middle Tennessee (6-1-0) is off to the best start in program history and the Blue Raiders are coming off a 10-0 win against Lipscomb Friday. Kala Morgan has been on fire with six goals and two assists in her last three matches, including three goals and an assist in a 12-minute flurry against Lipscomb. Morgan leads the Blue Raiders with eight goals and 20 points, while Holly Grogan has tallied four goals and seven assists for 15 points.
The balanced attack has also been spurred by the contributions of freshmen Mary Zapapas and Jennifer Threlkeld, who have combined for eight goals and four assists.
Middle Tennessee's high-octane offense, which is averaging 24 shots and four goals per game, will be tested against a stingy Vanderbilt defense. The Commodores have four shutouts and have allowed no more than one goal in six of the seven matches. Keeper Tyler Griffin has a 0.52 goals-against-average and has been in goal for all four shutouts.
Vanderbilt, on the other hand, also will face what has been a quality Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders have two shutouts and have allowed no more than one goal in six of the seven matches. Opponents have scored just six goals in seven matches against Middle Tennessee.
