Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Photo by: Cameron Wimberly/MT Athletic Communications
Blue Raiders Conclude Unbeaten Spring Season
5/2/2023 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Soccer finished its Spring Season last month, going unbeaten across its five friendly fixtures while building a foundation and identity for the upcoming 2023 campaign.
Each player reaped the benefits of practice and match reps earned across the spring season. A large class of freshmen from the 2022 season, combined with four key pieces returning this fall as graduate students created a culture of competition all spring. That competition allowed the team to grow as a collective unit and accumulate chemistry. Goalkeeper Hannah Suder, defender Caroline Manley, and forwards Cambell Kivisto and Elizabeth Slavinsky—the Blue Raiders' four grad students in 2023, continued their roles as leaders.
"It was important to have the graduate students back as they helped the young players grow and manage games," said head coach Aston Rhoden.
It was this leadership that helped the squad develop its goal of forming an attacking identity.
"We got better with our attacking intent and were able to create numerous scoring chances in various ways. It translated into having several different goal scorers this spring," said Rhoden.
This offensive approach also paid dividends on the opposite end of the pitch, with a back line that anchored a trio of shutouts across the spring.
Each player improved during the spring, each elevating a different skillset. Defenders Lauren Spaanstra and Jessica Oliveras grew in their tactical insight. Kivisto, as well as midfielder Idun Kvaale enhanced their positional awareness and were key contributors to the attack. Midfielder Manon Lebargy and forward Jackie Reilly sharpened their goalscoring abilities, serving as the finishing touches to several attacks.
Match Highlights
March 18 vs. Cumberland: Goals from Kvaale and Lebargy open the Spring in style.
March 18 vs. Southern Indiana: Suder and fellow goalkeeper Emily McGrain combine for a clean sheet in the finale of the MTSU Spring Tournament. The Blue Raiders prevail on penalty kicks.
March 25 vs. Tennessee Tech: Lebargy claims her second goal of the spring while Reilly also scores.
April 1 at Chattanooga: Forward Gabriela Shegota finds the back of the net and the goalkeeping duo adds another shutout to its resume.
April 15 vs. Trevecca: MTSU finishes the spring match slate with an emphatic 6-0 win. Reilly and Slavinsky record braces while Kivisto and fellow forward Emma Pettersen also score.
Rhoden's Roundup
With summer on the horizon, the team will continue preparing for the 2023 regular season.
"I was pleased with the team's performance throughout the Spring, and the improvement every player made in various areas of their game. I'm excited to see how the work these players did in the spring will translate over the summer as we put everything together for the fall," said Rhoden.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Soccer on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Soccer), Twitter (@MT_Soccer) and Instagram (@mt_wsoccer).
Stay tuned as the program announces the 2023 regular season schedule this summer.
Each player reaped the benefits of practice and match reps earned across the spring season. A large class of freshmen from the 2022 season, combined with four key pieces returning this fall as graduate students created a culture of competition all spring. That competition allowed the team to grow as a collective unit and accumulate chemistry. Goalkeeper Hannah Suder, defender Caroline Manley, and forwards Cambell Kivisto and Elizabeth Slavinsky—the Blue Raiders' four grad students in 2023, continued their roles as leaders.
"It was important to have the graduate students back as they helped the young players grow and manage games," said head coach Aston Rhoden.
It was this leadership that helped the squad develop its goal of forming an attacking identity.
"We got better with our attacking intent and were able to create numerous scoring chances in various ways. It translated into having several different goal scorers this spring," said Rhoden.
This offensive approach also paid dividends on the opposite end of the pitch, with a back line that anchored a trio of shutouts across the spring.
Each player improved during the spring, each elevating a different skillset. Defenders Lauren Spaanstra and Jessica Oliveras grew in their tactical insight. Kivisto, as well as midfielder Idun Kvaale enhanced their positional awareness and were key contributors to the attack. Midfielder Manon Lebargy and forward Jackie Reilly sharpened their goalscoring abilities, serving as the finishing touches to several attacks.
Match Highlights
March 18 vs. Cumberland: Goals from Kvaale and Lebargy open the Spring in style.
March 18 vs. Southern Indiana: Suder and fellow goalkeeper Emily McGrain combine for a clean sheet in the finale of the MTSU Spring Tournament. The Blue Raiders prevail on penalty kicks.
March 25 vs. Tennessee Tech: Lebargy claims her second goal of the spring while Reilly also scores.
April 1 at Chattanooga: Forward Gabriela Shegota finds the back of the net and the goalkeeping duo adds another shutout to its resume.
April 15 vs. Trevecca: MTSU finishes the spring match slate with an emphatic 6-0 win. Reilly and Slavinsky record braces while Kivisto and fellow forward Emma Pettersen also score.
Rhoden's Roundup
With summer on the horizon, the team will continue preparing for the 2023 regular season.
"I was pleased with the team's performance throughout the Spring, and the improvement every player made in various areas of their game. I'm excited to see how the work these players did in the spring will translate over the summer as we put everything together for the fall," said Rhoden.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Soccer on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Soccer), Twitter (@MT_Soccer) and Instagram (@mt_wsoccer).
Stay tuned as the program announces the 2023 regular season schedule this summer.
Players Mentioned
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