Blue Raiders Blast Belmont 6-0 For First Win

NASHVILLE - Debs Brereton and Rachel Holmes powered in two goals each and Laura Miguez became the program's all-time leader in goals as Middle Tennessee pummeled Belmont, 6-0, for its first win of the season at Whitten Soccer Complex Friday.

The Blue Raiders (1-2) wasted little time jumping on the host Bruins (1-2) with three goals within an 11-minute span early in the first half to seize control.

Miguez provided the only goal the stingy Blue Raider defense would need in the 11th minute when she cashed in from 30 yards out on a free kick. The first goal of the season for Miguez was the 24th of her career and pushed her ahead of former Blue Raider standout Emily Carter for the program's all-time lead in that category. The senior from Dallas, Texas also is Middle Tennessee's all-time leader in assists and points.

Shortly after Miguez put Middle Tennessee on the board, Brereton continued her sizzling start to the season with a pair of goals in a 5:06 span to give her three for the season. Brereton scored her initial goal from 40 yards out on an assist from Claire Ward, one of two she would dish out in the game.

The resounding win enabled the Blue Raiders to rid themselves of the bitter taste remaining from back-to-back road losses at Mississippi State and Ole Miss, respectively, last weekend.

"I believe we learned some lessons from last weekend," Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said. "The difference tonight was when we had opportunities we were able to put them away. Even though we had a 3-0 lead at the half the players were not going to let Belmont back in the game and that was another difference. We made sure the game wasn't a game. It was good to see them kind of rebound, create opportunities and score them."

Whatever doubt may have lingered at halftime was erased early in the second half when Holmes scored a pair of goals five minutes apart just seven minutes into the period. The sophomore equaled her total number of goals from last year. Ward and Danielle LaDuke assisted her, respectively. Middle Tennessee also had an own goal to cap the scoring.

The Blue Raiders tallied 26 shots against Belmont, almost double the 15 shots Middle Tennessee had in two games combined last weekend. The Bruins, on the other hand, found times difficult against the Middle Tennessee defense, which controlled the ball and allowed just seven shots. Jessica Northcutt, Katy Rayburn, Sara Wohlhueter and Beth Wade were instrumental in establishing the defensive tone early.

Middle Tennessee will look to even its slate at Memphis Sunday at 2 p.m.