Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
South Alabama
High-scoring offense returns home
9/28/2006 7:37:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - After playing five of the last six games on the road, Middle Tennessee will put several long streaks on the line when it plays host to nemesis South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference home opener at Blue Raider Field Friday at 7 p.m.
Middle Tennessee (8-2, 2-0) has won 16 straight at Blue Raider Field, owns a 10-game home winning streak against conference foes, and has won nine straight regular-season matches against league opponents.
Those marks will be tested by a South Alabama squad that started league play with two wins and finds itself in a four-way logjam at the top of the conference standings, along with Middle Tennessee, Denver, and North Texas. The Jaguars were the only Sun Belt team to beat Middle Tennessee in 2005, and they did it twice - 2-1 in the regular season and they ended the Blue Raiders' season with a 1-0 setback in the tournament semifinals.
Blue Raider coach Aston Rhoden said revenge and worrying about protecting winning streaks aren't topics discussed by the team.
"Because those aren't our goals," Rhoden said. "Our goals are to win a championship and letting everything else fall into place. I know I don't talk about the home winning streak. It's nice but we don't take the field thinking about it. Our players certainly have more of a comfort level at home, as does most every team. We want to make sure we give our fans the best we have and leave them wanting more. We want to make sure they enjoy the atmosphere and the experience because we believe we are a quality soccer team.
"As far as this game, it is not about revenge, it is more about awareness. South Alabama is a good team, good enough to win two Sun Belt games so that tells you enough. They are well-coached and always are a quality opponent."
South Alabama's 4-6 overall record doesn't do much to intimidate; however, a much closer look inside the numbers indicates the Jaguars are a hot team on the prowl. The Jaguars have won four of their past five matches and are in the midst of a three-game win streak. An offensive surge has been the key as South Alabama has scored 13 goals in its last five matches after scoring just one goal in the first five of the season. Freshman midfielder Sam Stocker has scored six goals in the past three games.
South Alabama will try to do what few have been able to consistently throughout the season - corral Middle Tennessee's high-powered offense. The Blue Raiders enter Friday's game ranked 10th in the nation in scoring offense at 3.40 goals per game. West Virginia (3.60) and Boston College (3.56) are slightly ahead of Middle Tennessee. The offense has been ignited by Kala Morgan, who is second nationally in points per game with 2.30, and fifth in goals per game (0.90) with nine in 10 matches.
Teammate Holly Grogan also is firmly entrenched in the national rankings. She is sixth nationally in points per game (2.10), and tied for eighth in assists per game (0.70). Freshman Jen Threlkeld is tied for 18th nationally in assists per game (0.63). The Blue Raiders, whose 8-2 record is the best start in school history, are tied for No. 21 nationally in winning percentage (.800).
While the Blue Raider offense is operating smoothly, Middle Tennessee's defense continues to shine and go about its business. Paced by seniors Sara Wohlhueter and Katy Rayburn, and junior Ingrid Christensen, in the back, along with consistent and solid play in the middle from Katie Daley, Kaley Forrest, and Mary Zapapas, the Blue Raiders are at the top third of the standings in virtually ever defensive category in the SBC.
Keepers Erynn Murray and Courtney Fortner also have solidified what was a question mark entering the season. Murray has started the last six games and earned her first career shutout at Florida International last Sunday. Murray and Fortner are both ranked among league leaders in goals-against-average.
Middle Tennessee will conclude the weekend series against Troy Sunday at 1 p.m.
