Blue Raiders Drop 2-1 Heartbreaker at Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Middle Tennessee's season opener ended in excruciating fashion here Friday night as Mississippi State scored the winning goal with 30 seconds remaining to take a 2-1 triumph at the Bulldog Soccer Field.

Rebecca Rodriguez and Laura Miguez picked up where they left off in 2003 when they teamed to give Middle Tennessee an early 1-0 lead. Rodriguez, who led the team with 12 goals last season, scored on an assist from Miguez when she deflected the ball off a Mississippi State defender 18:31 into the game. Middle Tennessee (0-1) made the lead stand until late in the second half with a strong defensive effort, but Heidi Ondra scored on a penalty kick with less than 15 minutes remaining to even the score, 1-1.

Ondra gave Mississippi State (1-0) the win when she slipped the winner into the goal with 30 seconds remaining.

"It was a tough way to lose, but I was pleased with the overall effort," Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said. "We played well defensively and had our chances. This is an early-season game against a quality opponent and we take away some positives on which to build."

Middle Tennessee managed just seven shots in the game with junior midfielder Claire Ward leading the way with four, including a pair of shots on goal. Mississippi State got 14 of its 20 shots in the second half.

Blue Raider freshman keeper Jenny Manis made her first career start and collected six saves.

Middle Tennessee will play at Ole Miss Sunday afternoon.

NOTES: Laura Miguez dished out the 23rd assist of her career. She is the Middle Tennessee career leader in that category ... Freshman keeper Jenny Manis made the first start of her career and played all 90 minutes ... Five Blue Raider newcome rs made their debuts against the Bulldogs - Manis, Kaley Forrest, Debs Brereton, Halley Dawe, and Holly Grogan. Manis, Forrest, Brereton and Dawe all drew starting assignments ... Middle Tennessee fell to 0-3 all-time against Mississippi State.

Middle Tennessee 1 0 - 1
Mississippi State 0 2 - 2

18:31 MTSU Rebecca Rodriguez (Laura Miguez)
75:25 MSU Heidi Ondra (Penalty Kick)
89:30 MSU Heidi Ondra (Jennifer Turpin, April Berry)

Shots: MTSU 7 (Ward 4), MSU 20 (Casey 7). Shots On Goal: MTSU 4 (Ward 2), MSU 8 (Casey 4). Saves: MTSU 6 (Manis), MSU 3 (Dallas). Corner Kicks: MTSU 5, MSU 5. Fouls: MTSU 10, MSU 11. Cautions and Ejections: MSU, Betty Ann Casey (24:45). Att. - 587. 3