Lebargy’s Penalty, Blue Raider Defense Sends Middle Tennessee into CUSA Semifinals in Shootout Victory Over Sam Houston

Wednesday, November 6

Miami, Fla.

6 P.M.

Middle Tennessee

8-9-1, 5-4-0

No. 4 Sam Houston

8-7-3, 5-4-0

Middle Tenn.

Sam Houston

11/6/2024 10:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Zach Brown, MTSU Athletic Communications

MIAMI, Fla. – The Blue Raiders advance!

The Middle Tennessee women's soccer team (9-9, 5-4 CUSA) defeated the fourth-seeded Sam Houston Bearkats (8-8-2, 5-4 CUSA) in tonight's quarterfinal matchup with a 4-2, penalty shootout win under the lights in Miami, Fla.

The win tonight sends the Blue Raiders into the CUSA semifinals, where they will face host, and top seed, FIU Panthers on Friday night at 6 P.M. CT.

Unlike the conclusion of the match, the opening 45 minutes featured an offensive stalemate, with neither offense finding a way through the opposition's seemingly impenetrable defense.

The Blue Raiders outshot Sam Houston 7-6 in the first half, including two shots on goal to the Bearkats' one. Recently named CUSA Midfielder of the Year Manon Lebargy and CUSA Freshman of the Year Lexi Dendis would test Sam Houston keeper Cassia Souza in a pair of scoring opportunities but were both unable to put the Blue Raiders in front.

Middle Tennessee goalkeeper Demi Gronauer was forced to make just one save through the first 45 minutes of tonight's match in the 38^th minute from a shot by Sam Houston's leading scorer Landri Townsend, keeping the scoreline level at 0-0 heading into the halftime break.

The second half of play proved to be equally as much of a stalemate with offensive production becoming harder and harder to come by down the stretch of the match. The Blue Raiders sent two more shots on frame across Sam Houston's net in the 65^th and 85^th minutes from Sadie Sterbenz and Faith Adje, but the score remained 0-0.

Middle Tennessee's and Sam Houston's defense would hold firm throughout the course of the second 45 minutes, as the two sides remained level, forcing and additional 20-minute period of extra time.

Both halves of extra time ceased to produce a winning goal for either side, despite both teams' desperate shouts for scoring chances, as the match would head to a penalty shootout.

Following a miss from defender Emma Brown on the first penalty for Middle Tennessee, and a goal on Sam Houston's first attempt from the spot, midfielder Yana Yordanova leveled the scoreline at one for the Blue Raiders with a kick to the top right corner of the net.

2024 CUSA Third Team All-Conference selection Lauren Spaanstra stepped up next for Middle Tennessee, looking to give the Blue Raiders the lead after an incredible save from Gronauer on a shot from Sam Houston's Pam Murray. Spaanstra converted her penalty with ease down the center of the goal, sending the Souza the wrong way, and giving MTSU a 2-1 lead.

The Bearkats failed to convert on their ensuing spot kick, handing the Blue Raiders a golden opportunity to claim a two goal advantage with Sascha Nielsen up next. Nielsen stepped up and launched her penalty into the top right corner, leaving Souza flat-footed, and claiming that 3-1 lead for Middle Tennessee.

Sam Houston would convert their fourth penalty for their second goal of the shootout, moving the score to 3-2, with Lebargy on deck for the Blue Raiders.

Lebargy would feature as the Middle Tennessee's fifth and final penalty taker, with a sudden death penalty looming. MTSU's top goalscorer calmly stepped up to the six-yard spot and sent the Blue Raiders into the semifinal with a penalty to the bottom left corner that was initially saved by Souza, but fortunately for Lebargy, one that rolled in for an upset victory in Miami.

By the Numbers
The Blue Raiders were unable to find the back of the net in the 90 minutes of regulation, and again in the 20 minutes of extra time, but ultimately prevailed by way of the penalty shootout. Middle Tennessee went four for five from the penalty spot with Yordanova, Spaanstra, Nielsen and Lebargy each converting a crucial kick from six yards out.

Over the course of 110 minutes of game time, the Blue Raider defense held firm, not allowing Sam Houston's offense to find any sort of rhythm in their final third. Defenders Brown, Nielsen and Sterbenz, midfielder Megan Carroll and Dendis each logged over 100 minutes tonight, with Brown and Nielsen logging the full 110 minutes on the field.

Gronauer came up big for Middle Tennessee between the posts time and time again in tonight's win, making four saves and coming off her line to force many other Berkat shots wide of the Blue Raider goal.

Next Fixture:
The Blue Raiders will face top-seeded FIU in the CUSA semifinals on Friday, Nov. 8 at FIU Soccer Stadium in Miami, Fla at 6 P.M. CT.

Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Women's Soccer on social media on Facebook, (BlueRaiderSoccer) X (MT_Soccer) and Instagram (mt_wsoccer).