Women's Soccer plays out scoreless draw against Lipscomb to achieve best start in program history

Sunday, August 30

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

6 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

4-0-2, 0-0-0

Lipscomb

2-1-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Lipscomb	0	0	0
Middle Tenn.	0	0	0

Women's Soccer vs. Lipscomb Recap 8.30.26

8/30/2026 10:26:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Maxson Hernandez-Trujillo, MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Although neither team could find a breakthrough, Middle Tennessee's scoreless draw with Lipscomb on Sunday night meant that the Blue Raiders achieved their best start to a season in program history, staying unbeaten through six games at 4-0-2.

MTSU outshot Lipscomb 16-9 on the night, and despite not being able to make a breakthrough offensively, it secured its fifth clean sheet in six matches, making it one of six division one programs to achieve five shutouts in 2026 (Wake Forest, Long Beach State, Stanford, St. Mary's (CA), and Binghamton).

''I do like the resiliency that we've shown over these six games and the fact that we've been able to win in different ways,'' MTSU head coach Aston Rhoden said.''I think there's a lot of positives to it, but now it's just a matter of 'can we be a little bit more consistent.'''

The Blue and White looked to continue its scoring ways from Thursday night's goalfest against Miami (OH) early when Jess Gray advanced the ball towards Ania Denham on the edge of the box in the eighth minute. The freshman forward sent a cross in towards Hailey Phillips, who controlled the pass and laid it off to Hannah Murphy for a first-time finish that forced an acrobatic save out of Lipscomb goalkeeper Sundell Woodard.

The Bisons did not take the pressure sitting down, however, as just six minutes later, leading goalscorer Tatum Ahlemeyer unleashed a long-range effort of her own, forcing a save out of MTSU goalkeeper Ella Sellers.

Just after the first-half hydration break, Woodard sent in a long pass towards the box that fell to forward Annalise Cannada, whose turning strike was destined for the top-right corner if it were not for another Sellers save.

The Blue Raiders exited the first half with 10 shots to the Bisons' five, marking the third time this season the Murfreesboro outfit has come away from a half with double-digit shots.

Middle Tennessee started the second half on the front foot after Denham put a free kick on target in the 52nd minute that Woodard could only parry over the net for a corner kick.

Only 10 more minutes could pass before the Welshwoman stood over another free kick towards goal. With her back to the 1,100 spectators watching on, she whipped an effort that was more dangerous than the last, forcing an awkward save out of Woodard and another corner kick.
Lipscomb responded with shots from midfielder Chloe Iliff and forward Kinsley Whitecavage, but MTSU's defense stood strong, blocking both attempts.

At the conclusion of Sunday night's affairs, each member of the Blue Raiders' back line put in 90-minute shifts en route to their best start to a season in program history.

Murphy's four shots with three on target and Denham's three shots with two on target represented the most promising offensive output of the night for the Blue and White, as well as season highs in both categories for both players.

Commanding the net for the third time this season, Sellers made four saves and improved her program-best career goals-against average to 0.163, as well as her program-best career save percentage to .929. Her seven shutouts from eight career starts see her ninth all-time at MTSU, and only two behind Sydney Chalcraft (2016-19) and teammate Demi Gronauer.

Up Next
Middle Tennessee will conclude its three-match homestand with Big Ten foe Purdue on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., before traveling to Alabama A&M on Sunday, Sept. 6 for a 2 p.m. kickoff.

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