Lights, Soccer, Action - GoBlueRaiders.com

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Anticipation of Middle Tennessee's soccer season opener against Southern Mississippi is high as the Blue Raiders will be playing a historic match when they take Blue Raider Field Friday at 7 p.m.

Middle Tennessee will play under the lights for the first time in school history as the new Blue Raider Field is showcased. The stadium now features a 1,500-seat grandstand and four banks of lights. When completed by next spring the complex will include four locker rooms, a press box, concessions, and public restrooms. A halftime ceremony is planned.

"A lot of people have put a lot of time and effort into getting this facility ready for us," Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said. "It's awesome that we get to play under the lights. It allows our fans more time to get out and see the game, as well as faculty, and students. It's a big night for us because it's the first game under the lights in school history."

Fans attending Friday's game are encouraged to park in the lot at the Holmes Building on Champions Way and enter the stadium from the south entrance.

The Blue Raiders return nine starters and 12 letterwinners in 2006 and they have enjoyed tremendous success on the home turf. Middle Tennessee has an 11-match winning streak at Blue Raider Field and it is 29-6-1 at home under Rhoden, who is entering his fifth season.

Southern Mississippi provides a quality foe and is the first of several tough opponents in a challenging non-conference schedule; however, Rhoden likes where his team is entering the opener.

"I think the girls have put in a great amount of work to get ready for this game," Rhoden said. "We are going to be much like every team in the country. It's our first official game and it may not be the way we end up playing all season. Are we at the level we are fully capable of? No, but I'm sure most are in that situation."

Middle Tennessee won its exhibition match, a 3-0 blanking of Murray State, while Southern Miss is coming off a 3-2 exhibition setback to Samford. The Lady Eagles are led by sophomore Sarah McFadden, a 2005 Conference USA All-Freshman selection.

This will be the fourth meeting between the schools on the soccer field with Southern Miss owning a 3-0 advantage. The teams have not played since 2003.