Second-half uprising carries soccer to league win

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee received a scoring boost from an unlikely cast and broke loose for three second half goals on the way to a 3-0 win against Florida International at Blue Raider Field Sunday afternoon.

Kaley Forrest and Vanessa Mueggler scored their first goals of the season and Kala Morgan knocked in her fourth of the season and 33rd career goal to move into a tie with Rebecca Rodriguez for second on the career list as the Blue Raiders received a well-rounded game.

Freshman keeper Kela Casiple earned her second straight start and responded with her second career shutout and the Middle Tennessee defense was sound. Florida International managed just two shots on goal in the match.

"This was a good all-around game and one in which we played well in all the important areas," Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said. "It was nice to see our players respond from a tough (2-1) loss to Florida Atlantic with a strong game today. We had a lot of different players contribute and that's always a good thing."

The Sun Belt match was a scoreless battle through the first half but Middle Tennessee (4-4-2, 1-1-0) came out of the locker room as the aggressor at the outset of the second half. Morgan scored what would prove to be the game winner in the 47th minute on a striking cross from Caitlin Reeves, who started the second half and ignited a spark.

Forrest provided a big insurance goal in the 70th minute on a play set up by Mueggler and Grogan. Mueggler got into the goal scoring act in the 87th minute with her first career goal to complete the three-goal half.

Middle Tennessee returns to action against South Alabama in Mobile, Ala., Friday.

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