Women's Soccer remains unbeaten after 2-0 Shutout at West Georgia

Sunday, August 23

Carrollton, Ga.

12 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

3-0-1, 0-0-0

West Georgia

0-3-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Middle Tenn.	1	1	2
West Ga.	0	0	0

8/23/2026 5:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Maxson Hernandez-Trujillo, MTSU Athletic Communications

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The Middle Tennessee women's soccer team put out a dominant display on both sides of the ball as it cruised to a 2-0 victory at West Georgia Sunday afternoon.

Goals on either side of halftime from Saachi Bureau and Ania Denham delivered MTSU the three points, while goalkeeper Demi Gronauer had zero saves to make as she commanded her back line to a fourth-straight shutout.

The Blue and White are now unbeaten through their first four matches of the season for the second consecutive year as they approach the one-third mark of their nonconference schedule. Additionally, Middle Tennessee has now held its first four opponents of the season scoreless for the first time in program history, and has held four consecutive opponents scoreless for the first time since 2013 (1-0 vs. Tennessee, 3-0 vs. Tennessee Tech, 8-0 vs. Alabama A&M, 2-0 vs. UAB).

''I am really pleased with our response to our game on Thursday. We played a lot closer to our identity against a very organized UWG group and were able to secure an important win,'' MTSU head coach Aston Rhoden said. ''It will be good to be back home after a three-game road swing!''

The Blue Raiders were itching to get on the scoresheet after missing out on Thursday and Saachi Bureau wasted no time opening their account just 15 minutes into the contest. Mya Stenehjem threw the ball in play to Denham, who laid it back off to her before she sent a ball across the field towards Bureau, who was tracking it in the box. The left-winger took a touch towards the byline before rolling the ball over her right foot to wrong-foot her defender. Her left-footed finish could only tease the top of UWG goalkeeper Emily Sanabria's gloves before trickling into the net for the 1-0 lead.

Following a first-half hydration break, MTSU continued to heap the pressure onto the West Georgia defense, with Luiza Junior dos Santos, Alli Craig, and Bureau all forcing saves from Sanabria within the span of six minutes.

In the second half, Middle Tennessee more than doubled its offensive output, tallying 11 shots as it relentlessly put on the pressure. That pressure would be rewarded only six minutes through the second period, as Denham rose highest to direct Hannah Murphy's corner kick into the net for her second score and MTSU's third set-piece goal of the season.

The shots continued to rain down for the Blue and White as they registered nine more in the second half alone, with freshmen Payton Pitman and Gracie Somerville logging three and two, respectively. Middle Tennessee's second half tally of 11 marks the second time registering at least 10 shots in a 45-minute period this season, following the second half of the season opener against Troy (12)

On the defensive end, goalkeeper Demi Gronauer kept her second consecutive clean sheet, bringing her career total to nine and tied for seventh all-time with Sydney Chalcraft (2016-19).

MTSU limited West Georgia to one shot, matching last year's contest (Aug. 31, 2025) when it held the Wolves to the same tally.

Five Blue Raiders made their season debuts on Sunday afternoon, including redshirt senior Luiza Junior dos Santos, sophomore defender Addie Martin, sophomore midfielder Annamaria Benke, freshman defender Hailey Crabb, and freshman midfielder Gracie Somerville.

After the full-time whistle on Sunday afternoon, MTSU is now only one of four Division I programs (Wake Forest, Northeastern (CAA), St. Mary's (CA)) to not concede a goal in 2026 through four matches.

Up Next
Middle Tennessee will begin a three-game homestand, starting with Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. The Blue Raiders will then welcome Lipscomb on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m., before hosting Big Ten outfit Purdue on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.

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