Ward, Cox Score in 2-0 Victory

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Claire Ward's goal midway through the first half gave Middle Tennessee an early lead and the Blue Raiders got a late score from Jenny Cox to take a 2-0 victory over Western Carolina Sunday afternoon in the final match of the Middle Tennessee Classic.

Ward's one-timer in the 27th minute gave the Blue Raiders an early advantage.

Blue Raider Laura Miguez's header was saved by WCU's Tina Weaver, giving Middle Tennessee a corner kick in the 27th minute. The Catamounts tried to clear the corner, but Jessica Northcutt stepped up to take a shot from 25 yards. Northcutt's shot was blocked but bounced right, where Ward's one-timer from about 12 yards found the top of the net for a 1-0 Blue Raider lead.

Middle Tennessee had a chance for another score in the 37th minute when Rachel Holmes made a long run down the middle and fed Danielle LaDuke, who beat Weaver low and right, but the ball bounced off the post.

The Blue Raiders controlled the ball for much of the second half but did not muster many quality scoring chances. Middle Tennessee finally added to the lead in the 81st minute when Miguez's corner found the head of Cox deep in the box for her second goal of the season.

"We came out and played well again today," Middle Tennessee head coach Aston Rhoden said. "We finished the opportunities we were given. Western Carolina came out and played much better than they did Friday. We had to work for this one.

"It was good to see Jenny Cox come out and finish the game for us. All of the credit should go to the defenders for this weekend. We scored seven goals and we kept out opponents off the scoreboard. If we keep playing at this level, we will increase our chances of winning games we wouldn't normally win."

The Blue Raiders hit the road for the first time this season next weekend, traveling to take on Southern Miss Friday in Hattiesburg, Miss., before battling Tulane in New Orleans, La., on Sunday.

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