Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Thursday, October 22
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
7 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
8-5-4, 1-3-2
0
vs
1
New Mexico State
3-10-3, 2-3-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico St. | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Middle Tenn. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
10/22/2026 11:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Women's Soccer dropped its penultimate home match of the season to New Mexico State, 1-0, on Thursday night at Dean A. Hayes Soccer Stadium.
With the result, the Blue Raiders fall to 8-5-4 (1-3-2 CUSA) and drop to eighth in Conference USA, while the Aggies improve to 3-10-3 (2-3-1 CUSA) and fourth place in the conference standings.
''The games come hard and fast, so you can't stay long in the moment,'' MTSU Head Coach Aston Rhoden said. ''It's really just about, 'Can we now have short-term memory and try to separate this game from the next game?'''
Middle Tennessee's first meaningful effort came after 15 minutes, when Hailey Phillips headed Jess Gray's cross towards goal.
Ania Denham tried to catch New Mexico State goalkeeper Karolanne Lafortune off of her line just 10 minutes later, but the Aggie claimed the ball before it could fall into the net.
The Blue Raiders outshot New Mexico State eight to four in the first half, outplaying their opponents in search of an opening goal.
The second half brought more fireworks, as the Aggies sent an attempt towards goal just five minutes into the half. Sydnee Johnson received a through ball and dribbled towards the byline, with her shot cleared off the line at the last moment by Jess Gray to keep the scores even.
However, in the 63rd minute, New Mexico State broke through to score the lone goal of the match. Emma O'Neill finished a chance that fell to her in the box for her first score of the season and the eventual game winner.
MTSU searched for an equalizer, with their best opportunity coming in the 73rd minute on a chance from a set piece. Hannah Murphy sent in a floating ball that bounced off an Aggie head, before Phillips directed an attempt at goal amidst a scramble in the box. Her shot was saved before the rebound fell to Alli Craig, who had her shot blocked and cleared away.
In the loss, Gray registered a career-high two shots in addition to tying her career-high shots-on-goal tally. Addie Martin tied her season high in minutes with her half an hour on the pitch and registered her first career shot and shot on target.
Up Next
Middle Tennessee will travel to Kennesaw State on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. for its final away match of the season, before returning home for a rivalry match against Western Kentucky on Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. in the regular season finale.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with Middle Tennessee Soccer on Instagram (@mt_wsoccer), X (@MT_Soccer), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Soccer).
With the result, the Blue Raiders fall to 8-5-4 (1-3-2 CUSA) and drop to eighth in Conference USA, while the Aggies improve to 3-10-3 (2-3-1 CUSA) and fourth place in the conference standings.
''The games come hard and fast, so you can't stay long in the moment,'' MTSU Head Coach Aston Rhoden said. ''It's really just about, 'Can we now have short-term memory and try to separate this game from the next game?'''
Middle Tennessee's first meaningful effort came after 15 minutes, when Hailey Phillips headed Jess Gray's cross towards goal.
Ania Denham tried to catch New Mexico State goalkeeper Karolanne Lafortune off of her line just 10 minutes later, but the Aggie claimed the ball before it could fall into the net.
The Blue Raiders outshot New Mexico State eight to four in the first half, outplaying their opponents in search of an opening goal.
The second half brought more fireworks, as the Aggies sent an attempt towards goal just five minutes into the half. Sydnee Johnson received a through ball and dribbled towards the byline, with her shot cleared off the line at the last moment by Jess Gray to keep the scores even.
However, in the 63rd minute, New Mexico State broke through to score the lone goal of the match. Emma O'Neill finished a chance that fell to her in the box for her first score of the season and the eventual game winner.
MTSU searched for an equalizer, with their best opportunity coming in the 73rd minute on a chance from a set piece. Hannah Murphy sent in a floating ball that bounced off an Aggie head, before Phillips directed an attempt at goal amidst a scramble in the box. Her shot was saved before the rebound fell to Alli Craig, who had her shot blocked and cleared away.
In the loss, Gray registered a career-high two shots in addition to tying her career-high shots-on-goal tally. Addie Martin tied her season high in minutes with her half an hour on the pitch and registered her first career shot and shot on target.
Up Next
Middle Tennessee will travel to Kennesaw State on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. for its final away match of the season, before returning home for a rivalry match against Western Kentucky on Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. in the regular season finale.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with Middle Tennessee Soccer on Instagram (@mt_wsoccer), X (@MT_Soccer), and Facebook (Middle Tennessee Soccer).
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
NMSU
MTSU
Goals
1
0
Shots
16
16
Shots on Goal
8
6
Saves
6
6
Corners
1
5
Fouls
5
8
Scoring Plays
Emma O'Neill (1)
Assisted By: Daniela Portillo
GOAL by NMSU O'Neill, Emma Assist by Portillo, Daniela.
63:42
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
def
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Thursday, August 13
Friday, August 07
Tuesday, October 21
Friday, August 22
