Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Sunday, September 29
Las Cruces, N.M.
2:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
at
New Mexico State
Blue Raiders Close Out Road Stretch vs. New Mexico State on Sunday
9/28/2024 11:12:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee women's soccer team (4-6-0, 1-1 CUSA) is set to close out its two-match road trip with a meeting with the New Mexico State Aggies (6-4-1, 1-1-0 CUSA) on Sunday afternoon at the NMSU Soccer Complex in Las Cruces, N.M.
History vs. New Mexico State
The Blue Raiders have just one previous meeting with the Aggies prior to their matchup on Sunday. Last season, the two programs met for the first time in Las Cruces, which resulted in a 3-2 win for the Aggies.
About Middle Tennessee
The Blue Raiders claimed their first win in conference play on Thursday in El Paso against UTEP in a 2-0 win over the Miners.
The win on Thursday over UTEP improved the Blue Raiders Conference USA record to 1-1 heading into their matchup with New Mexico State.
The first 25 minutes of the match of the match vs. UTEP remained scoreless with most of the play controlled in the midfield, as well as the Blue Raider defensive half.
In the 30th minute, Middle Tennessee broke though the UTEP defense for the opening goal of the night, coming off an unassisted 30-yard chip shot from forward Idun Kvaale, her fourth goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Demi Gronauer came up with three massive saves in the opening half of play to keep the Blue Raiders from falling behind early, and later, to keep the score at 1-0.
MTSU would continue to control a 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
Gronauer came up with a pair of saves in the 48th and 50th minutes to open the second half coming off opportunities from UTEP's Hayden McMillan and Taya Lopez.
Leading goalscorer Manon Lebargy would double the Middle Tennessee advantage with her seventh goal of the season to put the Blue Raiders up 2-0 in the 54th minute, with the assisted credited to Sadie Sterbenz and Kvaale.
The full-time whistle would blow with the Blue Raiders on top for a 2-0 win in El Paso and their first conference points.
MTSU would hold the Miners scoreless, despite being outshot 24-5, for their second clean sheet of 2024.
The Blue Raiders ended the match with an efficient two goals on five shots, including four on frame. Kvaale was the star of the night with three points on a goal and an assist. Lebargy scored her team-high seventh goal of the season, moving the France native to within one of the Conference USA lead. Along with Kvaale, Sterbenz recorded her fifth assist of 2024, tying Lauren Spaanstra for the team lead.
Gronauer added seven saves to her season tally, improving her total to 49.
About New Mexico State
The Aggies enter the weekend slate at 6-4-1 on the season, coming off a 2-1 win over Western Kentucky on Thursday in Las Cruces.
New Mexico State currently sits in fourth place in the Conference USA standings through the opening two matches with the win over Western Kentucky and a 3-2 loss on the road against Sam Houston.
The Aggies are led in the scoring department by graduate forward Loma McNeese with five goals thus far in 2024, as well as a pair of assists.
Match Details:
Kickoff for MTSU vs. New Mexico State is set for 2 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).
History vs. New Mexico State
The Blue Raiders have just one previous meeting with the Aggies prior to their matchup on Sunday. Last season, the two programs met for the first time in Las Cruces, which resulted in a 3-2 win for the Aggies.
About Middle Tennessee
The Blue Raiders claimed their first win in conference play on Thursday in El Paso against UTEP in a 2-0 win over the Miners.
The win on Thursday over UTEP improved the Blue Raiders Conference USA record to 1-1 heading into their matchup with New Mexico State.
The first 25 minutes of the match of the match vs. UTEP remained scoreless with most of the play controlled in the midfield, as well as the Blue Raider defensive half.
In the 30th minute, Middle Tennessee broke though the UTEP defense for the opening goal of the night, coming off an unassisted 30-yard chip shot from forward Idun Kvaale, her fourth goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Demi Gronauer came up with three massive saves in the opening half of play to keep the Blue Raiders from falling behind early, and later, to keep the score at 1-0.
MTSU would continue to control a 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
Gronauer came up with a pair of saves in the 48th and 50th minutes to open the second half coming off opportunities from UTEP's Hayden McMillan and Taya Lopez.
Leading goalscorer Manon Lebargy would double the Middle Tennessee advantage with her seventh goal of the season to put the Blue Raiders up 2-0 in the 54th minute, with the assisted credited to Sadie Sterbenz and Kvaale.
The full-time whistle would blow with the Blue Raiders on top for a 2-0 win in El Paso and their first conference points.
MTSU would hold the Miners scoreless, despite being outshot 24-5, for their second clean sheet of 2024.
The Blue Raiders ended the match with an efficient two goals on five shots, including four on frame. Kvaale was the star of the night with three points on a goal and an assist. Lebargy scored her team-high seventh goal of the season, moving the France native to within one of the Conference USA lead. Along with Kvaale, Sterbenz recorded her fifth assist of 2024, tying Lauren Spaanstra for the team lead.
Gronauer added seven saves to her season tally, improving her total to 49.
About New Mexico State
The Aggies enter the weekend slate at 6-4-1 on the season, coming off a 2-1 win over Western Kentucky on Thursday in Las Cruces.
New Mexico State currently sits in fourth place in the Conference USA standings through the opening two matches with the win over Western Kentucky and a 3-2 loss on the road against Sam Houston.
The Aggies are led in the scoring department by graduate forward Loma McNeese with five goals thus far in 2024, as well as a pair of assists.
Match Details:
Kickoff for MTSU vs. New Mexico State is set for 2 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).
Players Mentioned
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