Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Austin Peay
MT Soccer Opens Season with APSU and Belmont
8/16/2018 2:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - After splitting their two preseason exhibitions, Middle Tennessee Women's Soccer will hit the road Friday for their season opener at Austin Peay before hosting Belmont on Sunday in their home opener. Kickoff from Clarksville is set for 7 p.m. CT and fans can get live updates on Twitter (@MT_Soccer). Sunday's game in Murfreesboro will begin at 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on CUSA.TV.
Match Information
Matchup: Middle Tennessee (0-0-0) @ Austin Peay (0-0-0)
Location: Morgan Brothers Soccer Field (Clarksville, TN)
Time: August 17, 2018, 7:00 p.m.
Matchup: Belmont (0-0-0) @ Middle Tennessee (0-0-0)
Location: Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium (Murfreesboro, TN)
Time: August 19, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Scouting the Governors
The Govs are coming off a 2017 season that saw a promising start turn sour down the stretch. They started the season strong with six wins out of conference, but they could only muster three wins in Ohio Valley Conference play.
Austin Peay will have to replace their leading goal scorer from 2017, Kirstin Robertson, who has since graduated. Senior forward McKenzie Dixon will likely be asked to play a bigger role this season in Robertson's absence. Dixon has 13 career goals, but missed most of 2017 due to injury.
Series history
The Blue Raiders hold a 4-1-0 all-time record against Austin Peay. The Governors got their first and only win over MT last season by a score of 2-1 in overtime. Peyton DePriest scored for the Raiders in the contest while APSU's Dixon and returning sophomore Claire Larose scored the two goals for the Govs.
Scouting the Bruins
While Belmont won't return their leading scorer from 2017, they'll return five players that combined for 21 goals last season. Among those five is sophomore Julie Garst, who scored five goals in her freshman season with the Bruins and was named an All-Conference Freshman. Belmont's season ended in the OVC quarterfinals last year, a game they lost in penalty kicks.
Series History
Middle Tennessee leads the all-time series with Belmont 8-6-1, but has struggled in recent years. MT's last win over Belmont came in 2012 and the last three matches have ended in two losses and a draw, including a 3-2 loss in 2017. In last season's meeting, the Raiders took an early lead, scoring off a free kick. Belmont countered with a goal from Emily Whitcomb. DePriest then scored her first goal for MT to take back the lead just before halftime. However, the Raiders couldn't stop the Bruins as Garst and Jessi Boozer scored twice in the second half, with the game winner coming in the 86th heartbreaking minute.
Players to watch
Peyton DePriest – DePriest made an immediate impact in her freshman campaign, leading the Blue Raiders in points (29), shots (57), shots on goal (30) and game winning goals (four). She finished tied for second in the nation for goals scored amongst freshman and was named the 2018 Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Sydney Navarro – Navarro has anchored the Blue Raider back line for the last two seasons. In 2017, she earned a Second Team All-Conference honor in addition to scoring two goals.
Amber Hoot – Last season, Hoot led the team in assists (8) and assists per game (.44) which put her tied for second-most in C-USA in both categories. She ranked in the top 50 in the nation in both categories.
By the Numbers
7 – MT returns seven starters from last year's roster
17 – Head Coach Aston Rhoden is beginning his 17th season at the helm of MT Soccer
9 – The Blue Raiders added nine newcomers to the roster including seven freshmen.
Live Streaming
Sunday's game can be seen live on C-USA.TV with the broadcast starting at 5:55 p.m.
Social Media
Follow the Blue Raiders all season long
Twitter: @MT_Soccer
Facebook: Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Women's Soccer - MTSU
Instagram: @MT_WSoccer
