Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raider soccer looks to add fuel to the fire in 2021
1/28/2021 2:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It's been a long road for the Middle Tennessee soccer team since it last took the field in the Conference USA Championships against Rice.
When the Blue Raiders take the field for an exhibition Friday, it'll mark 450 days since the painful 4-2 loss to the Owls.
It'll be a welcome sight for Middle Tennessee when it starts its 2021 season, a moment that's been 450 days in the making. It'll be the first opportunity to continue adding fuel to the fire that started on the day the Blue Raiders fell in the 2019 conference title game.
"We're really excited to getting back to doing what we all love to do," head coach Aston Rhoden said. "We haven't played in over a year. We're appreciative we got a chance to practice in the fall and that we now get the chance to both practice and play."
Perhaps the biggest storyline surrounding the 2021 Middle Tennessee soccer team is the final season for one of the program's most storied players: Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Peyton DePriest.
As a junior in 2019, DePriest set the program record for career goals scored. With a full season yet to play, the forward currently sits atop the Blue Raiders record books with 42 goals and a career shot percentage of .252, and she set the single-season mark for goals per game in 2019 with 1.07.
The Franklin, Tennessee, native led the team last year in goals (18), points (38), shots (57), shots on goal (33) and shots-on-goal percentage (.579). It's no secret that she's been one of the most exciting players in program history, and fans will certainly miss seeing her dominate opponents on a regular basis.
"I've been through season-ending injuries, and (this offseason) has felt kind of like that," DePriest said. "The break challenged me mentally. I've spent a lot of time reading books and articles on how to be a better leader, but I've also spent a lot of time working on my individual game. I'm really excited to finally get going."
Aside from DePriest, the Middle Tennessee forward group is one of the deepest in program history. Maddi Falter, Sam Debien, Madison Schricker and Elizabeth Watts are part of the group that looks to give opponents fits this season.
After multiple injuries in her lengthy career, Falter returns for a fifth season to provide not only quality leadership, but a toughness that rubs off on her teammates on the offensive end.
With Schricker and DeBien flanking opponents from each wing and Watts and junior Miya Lennon proving quality depth after logging meaningful minutes in 2019, there are plenty of options in what is arguably the best position group on the team.
"As forwards, we have a lot returning, and our upperclassmen have really stepped into good leadership roles, and our freshman have really challenged us to be better," DePriest said. "In my four years of being here, it's the most depth we've had. We can sub anyone and the level of play doesn't change. It's going to be such an exciting thing to see this year. The coaches can utilize all of us because this group is that deep, and we have a lot of talent."
Though the midfield, back line and keepers may not have the amount of experience that the forward group does, it's a group that's hungry to get to work and prove it's just as vital to the fuel that the forwards are. Fourteen out of the 18 players that make up these three groups are either freshmen or sophomores, meaning lots of new faces will likely get a chance to prove themselves this season.
Leslie Frye and Carolin Engelhard return to lead the young but stout back line, while Annica Fletemeyer, Olivia Hansen and Katie Thomas look to mix into a freshman-heavy group of midfielders.
"Our midfield and back line is going to have a lot of youth," Rhoden said. "We have a few players like Caroline Manley, Leslie Fry and Annica Fletemeyer coming back, but there's going to be lot of new faces. I think that they are all very capable players, so it's just a matter of getting some games under our belt so that they can get some experience in the collegiate game."
Perhaps one of the more pressing questions surrounding the Blue Raiders is who will take over in net this season. Backup keeper Hannah Suder returns to the team after logging action in 10 games last season, including three starts and a shutout against Southern Miss.
Junior college transfer Isabelle Chinchay is coming off a season at Folsom Lake College in California where she earned Big 8 All-Conference Keeper of the Year.
"Hannah (Suder) has had experience playing at the Division I level and in Conference USA and came along well at the end of last season and has grown into a very solid keeper for us," Rhoden said. "(Chinchay) did well at the junior college level but still has to prove herself at the Division I level, but from what we've seen, she's very capable. She's competitive and athletic. Those two should complement each other very well this season."
As the Blue Raiders finally approach the end of this long 450-day run, the team looks to finish what it started on that day. While so much uncertainty surrounds not just soccer but all of sports, they may not know exactly what lies on the road ahead. One thing that is for certain about this particular group: the 450 days' worth of fuel being poured on their fire will be challenging for opponents to extinguish.
"This is the deepest roster we've had in a while," DePriest said. "I'm not doubtful that we can win the conference, because I'm confident in my teammates and coaches."
Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
When the Blue Raiders take the field for an exhibition Friday, it'll mark 450 days since the painful 4-2 loss to the Owls.
It'll be a welcome sight for Middle Tennessee when it starts its 2021 season, a moment that's been 450 days in the making. It'll be the first opportunity to continue adding fuel to the fire that started on the day the Blue Raiders fell in the 2019 conference title game.
"We're really excited to getting back to doing what we all love to do," head coach Aston Rhoden said. "We haven't played in over a year. We're appreciative we got a chance to practice in the fall and that we now get the chance to both practice and play."
Perhaps the biggest storyline surrounding the 2021 Middle Tennessee soccer team is the final season for one of the program's most storied players: Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Peyton DePriest.
As a junior in 2019, DePriest set the program record for career goals scored. With a full season yet to play, the forward currently sits atop the Blue Raiders record books with 42 goals and a career shot percentage of .252, and she set the single-season mark for goals per game in 2019 with 1.07.
The Franklin, Tennessee, native led the team last year in goals (18), points (38), shots (57), shots on goal (33) and shots-on-goal percentage (.579). It's no secret that she's been one of the most exciting players in program history, and fans will certainly miss seeing her dominate opponents on a regular basis.
"I've been through season-ending injuries, and (this offseason) has felt kind of like that," DePriest said. "The break challenged me mentally. I've spent a lot of time reading books and articles on how to be a better leader, but I've also spent a lot of time working on my individual game. I'm really excited to finally get going."
Aside from DePriest, the Middle Tennessee forward group is one of the deepest in program history. Maddi Falter, Sam Debien, Madison Schricker and Elizabeth Watts are part of the group that looks to give opponents fits this season.
After multiple injuries in her lengthy career, Falter returns for a fifth season to provide not only quality leadership, but a toughness that rubs off on her teammates on the offensive end.
With Schricker and DeBien flanking opponents from each wing and Watts and junior Miya Lennon proving quality depth after logging meaningful minutes in 2019, there are plenty of options in what is arguably the best position group on the team.
"As forwards, we have a lot returning, and our upperclassmen have really stepped into good leadership roles, and our freshman have really challenged us to be better," DePriest said. "In my four years of being here, it's the most depth we've had. We can sub anyone and the level of play doesn't change. It's going to be such an exciting thing to see this year. The coaches can utilize all of us because this group is that deep, and we have a lot of talent."
Though the midfield, back line and keepers may not have the amount of experience that the forward group does, it's a group that's hungry to get to work and prove it's just as vital to the fuel that the forwards are. Fourteen out of the 18 players that make up these three groups are either freshmen or sophomores, meaning lots of new faces will likely get a chance to prove themselves this season.
Leslie Frye and Carolin Engelhard return to lead the young but stout back line, while Annica Fletemeyer, Olivia Hansen and Katie Thomas look to mix into a freshman-heavy group of midfielders.
"Our midfield and back line is going to have a lot of youth," Rhoden said. "We have a few players like Caroline Manley, Leslie Fry and Annica Fletemeyer coming back, but there's going to be lot of new faces. I think that they are all very capable players, so it's just a matter of getting some games under our belt so that they can get some experience in the collegiate game."
Perhaps one of the more pressing questions surrounding the Blue Raiders is who will take over in net this season. Backup keeper Hannah Suder returns to the team after logging action in 10 games last season, including three starts and a shutout against Southern Miss.
Junior college transfer Isabelle Chinchay is coming off a season at Folsom Lake College in California where she earned Big 8 All-Conference Keeper of the Year.
"Hannah (Suder) has had experience playing at the Division I level and in Conference USA and came along well at the end of last season and has grown into a very solid keeper for us," Rhoden said. "(Chinchay) did well at the junior college level but still has to prove herself at the Division I level, but from what we've seen, she's very capable. She's competitive and athletic. Those two should complement each other very well this season."
As the Blue Raiders finally approach the end of this long 450-day run, the team looks to finish what it started on that day. While so much uncertainty surrounds not just soccer but all of sports, they may not know exactly what lies on the road ahead. One thing that is for certain about this particular group: the 450 days' worth of fuel being poured on their fire will be challenging for opponents to extinguish.
"This is the deepest roster we've had in a while," DePriest said. "I'm not doubtful that we can win the conference, because I'm confident in my teammates and coaches."
Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D/M
/ Women's Soccer
F
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