Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
UTSA
Blue Raiders Open Conference Play Hosting UTSA on Sunday
9/14/2018 2:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee finished off their second and third straight shutouts last weekend as they closed out non-conference play. Hannah Tillett and Celeste Barnard were both recognized by the conference for their play and the team as a whole looks to be in great form headed into conference play, holding onto a 5-2 overall record. The Blue Raiders host UTSA on Sunday, September 16th at 1 p.m and fans can get live updates on Twitter (@MT_Soccer) or watch live on ESPN3.
Match Information
Matchup: UTSA (4-3-0) @ Middle Tennessee (5-2-0)
Location: Dean A. Hayes Soccer and Track Stadium (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Time: September 16, 2018, 1:00 p.m.
Scouting the Roadrunners
UTSA has 14 goals on the season, but over half of them have come from two players: Lexi Bolton and Ellis Patterson. They each have four goals and Bolton owns four assists while Patterson has two. Any attempts to slow down this attack will likely focus on stopping those two, especially coming off of a game where both scored two goals in a 6-0 rout of Incarnate Word. Defensively, the Roadrunners certainly have the ability to play at a high level with three shutouts so far. Michelle Cole has played every minute in goal for UTSA and has 21 saves through seven games.
Series history
The Roadrunners hold a 3-0-0 record against the Blue Raiders. Their last meeting came last season when MT suffered a 1-0 loss in Murfreesboro. Returning senior, Channing Machen was the lone goal scorer in the contest.
Players to watch
Sydney Navarro – As if playing a large part in three straight shut outs wasn't enough, the senior added a goal to her name last week against Western Carolina. Navarro was the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 3rd.
Celeste Barnard – The senior keeper played exceptionally well for the Blue Raiders in net last weekend. She recorded two shutout wins and made seven saves, one of which was on a penalty kick against Valparaiso. She boasts a perfect 4-0 record now with three of the four wins being clean sheets. Her recent performances earned her Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Week.
Hannah Tillett – Tillett added another impressive weekend to her stellar freshman campaign. She had four goals last weekend, including a hat trick on Sunday's match against Western Carolina, which was the first Blue Raider hat trick since 2012. She was named Conference USA and TSWA Offensive Player of the Week for the effort. Tillett now leads MT and C-USA in goals with seven and points with 18. She also ranks in the top five in the nation in points, goals, points per game (2.57), and goals per game (1.00).
By the Numbers
9 – The Blue Raiders saw a balanced attack in non-conference play, with nine different players registering a goal and 17 recording a shot on goal.
3 – Hannah Tillett has 18 points this season, a number that has her ranked third in the country in total points.
55 – The Blue Raiders have tallied 55 points this season as a team. That stat ranks them second in the conference and tied for 22nd in the country.
Live Streaming
Sunday's game will be streamed on ESPN3.
Social Media
Follow the Blue Raiders all season long
Twitter: @MT_Soccer
Facebook: Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Women's Soccer - MTSU
Instagram: @MT_WSoccer
