Blue Raiders Fall 4-3 to South Alabama in Heartbreaking Loss

Thursday, September 12

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

3-5-0, 0-0-0

South Alabama

5-3-0, 0-0-0

South Alabama

Middle Tenn.

9/12/2024 5:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Zach Brown, MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee women's soccer team (3-5-0) fell to the South Alabama Jaguars (5-3-0) in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss today at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.

Midfielder Risui Arasaki made her return to the starting XI for the Blue Raiders after coming off the bench in the previous four matches, in place of injured Manon Lebargy. Arasaki featured in 70 of the
90 minutes today and got on the scoresheet in the 53^rd minute with her third goal of the season, coming off an assist from Lauren Spaanstra.

Middle Tennessee goalkeeper Demi Gronauer was forced into early action with a double save at the 7-minute mark with a pair of shots from South Alabama's Monique Gray and Juliana Lopes, keeping the score level at 0-0.

South Alabama took an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute following an own goal by the Blue Raiders, coming off a set piece opportunity.

The Jaguars would double their advantage less than 10 minutes later in the 18^th minute with a goal by Gray, her third of the season.

Gronauer came up with another massive save to keep the Blue Raiders within striking distance in the 32^nd minute, maintaining the Jaguar lead at 2-0. South Alabama would continue to control that 2-0 lead into the halftime break.

MTSU came out of the intermission with a reinvigorated offense, as midfielder Hannah Murphy forced South Alabama goalkeeper McKenzie Hunninghake into her first action of the afternoon. Less than a minute later, the Blue Raiders pulled one back with Arasaki's goal, set up by Spaanstra.

Once again set up by Spaanstra off an ensuing corner, defender Sadie Sterbenz brought the home side level with a headed goal, her first of the season, in the 61^st minute, evening the scoreline at two.

After facing an early 2-0 deficit, MTSU completed the comeback with a go-ahead goal from Idun Kvaale, with the assist going to Lexi Dendis, giving the Blue Raiders the lead in the final 10 minutes.

That lead would be short lived, however, as the Jaguars would come right back with a goal of their own in the 83^rd minute of the match by leading goalscorer Irene Campo, once again leveling the score at three.

In heartbreaking fashion for the home side, South Alabama would reclaim the lead in the 89^th minute of play, less than two minutes prior to the full-time whistle, with a goal by Lopes.

The full-time whistle would blow with the Jaguars completing their come from behind win on the road with a 4-3 result in Murfreesboro.

The seven-goal thriller would feature seven issued yellow cards, five to South Alabama and two to Middle Tennessee.

By the Numbers:
The Blue Raiders finished the 90 minutes with three goals on 15 total attempts, including six shots on target. Three different players got on the scoresheet in Arasaki, Sterbenz and Kvaale, with Spaanstra picking up a pair of assists, improving her season total to five, as well as Lexi Dendis setting up Kvaale's goal.

Next Fixture:
The Blue Raiders will continue their homestand next week, as they are set to host the FIU Panthers for their Conference USA opener on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 P.M. at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.

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