Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Rice
Raiders Ready for Pivotal Conference Weekend
9/19/2018 2:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee continues into conference play with two C-USA matches as they travel to face Rice on Thursday, September 20th at 7 p.m. ahead of a home match with North Texas on Sunday, September 23rd at 1 p.m. The Blue Raiders are coming off a 2-2 draw in their Conference USA opener against UTSA last Sunday. Maddison Falter and Hannah Tillett each scored goals, but after regulation and two overtime periods, neither side could gain an advantage. The two pivitol matches this weekend will be available for live updates on Twitter (@MT_Soccer) or available to watch live online (C-USA TV and ESPN3).
Match Information
Matchup: Rice (2-4-0) @ Middle Tennessee (5-2-1)
Location: Holloway Field (Houston, TX.)
Time: September 20, 2018, 7:00 p.m.
Scouting the Owls
The Owls faced some tough competition in non-conference play, not the least of which was nationally ranked Texas. Preseason All-Conference USA forward Annie Walker has been as good as advertised and leads Rice in shots on goal (seven) and is tied for the team lead in shots (15), goals (one), and points (three). Meanwhile, Dominique Mazero has been providing the assists and has three of the team's total of five. In goal, true freshman Bella Killgore has played in all but one game and has totaled 22 saves.
Series history
The Owls hold a 2-1-1 record against the Blue Raiders. Last season's meeting saw Rice score three first-half goals on their way to a 4-2 win. Marissa Topolski is the only Rice returner to have scored in the game while Taylor Hatch recorded a goal for the Blue Raiders.
Match Information
Matchup: North Texas (5-1-1) @ Middle Tennessee (5-2-1)
Location: Dean A. Hayes Soccer and Track Stadium (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Time: September 23, 2018, 1:00 p.m.
Scouting the Mean Green
North Texas' last loss came back in August against a top-10 team in Santa Clara. Since then, the Mean Green have won three games in a row by a combined score of 7-1. North Texas enters the weekend with four players that have scored three goals or more and four players with multiple assists. Taylor Torres leads the team in both categories with five goals and four assists, but this team has more than just a strong attack. Kelsey Brann has made 23 saves and allowed only three goals so far this year. NT also has Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Dominique James on their backline. The Mean Green will face Southern Miss on Thursday to open up their conference slate ahead of their contest with the Blue Raiders.
Series history
North Texas holds a 15-5-2 record against the Blue Raiders. Their last meeting came in the 2017 C-USA Tournament with North Texas winning 4-1. Taylor Torres scored a hat trick for North Texas in the contest while Hatch was the lone goal scorer for Middle. In fact, the Mean Green have won the last seven meetings, dating back to 2010.
Players to watch
Celeste Barnard – The senior keeper remains undefeated on the season with a 4-0-1 record. She's made 16 saves and has only allowed five goals this season. In Sunday's game against UTSA, she made several saves that ended up being pivotal in a 2-2 draw.
Hannah Tillett – In her eighth collegiate game on Sunday, the freshman scored her eighth goal of the season. Her average of one goal per game has her tied for fifth in the nation while her 2.50 points per game ranks her sixth.
Leslie Frye – The redshirt freshman has played every game so far for the Blue Raiders and has been a key part of the strong back line. Frye has done well to maintain possession after steals and step in front of shots.
By the Numbers
14 – The Blue Raiders have 61 points this season and 14 different Blue Raiders have registered a point so far. Additionally, 10 players have two or more points.
8 – Hannah Tillett's eight goals this season are the most in C-USA and the most by any freshman in the country. She's ranked eighth in the country in total goals.
21 – As a team, Middle Tennessee has totaled 21 goals this season which is the second most in Conference USA and tied for 26th in the country.
Live Streaming
Thursday's game can be viewed on CUSA.TV and 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
