MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee scored early but could not hold on as they opened up the Middle Tennessee Classic with a battling 1-1 draw with the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Blue Raider Field on Friday Night.
The Blue Raiders linked up well as the first half progressed and went ahead in the 29th minute. Sophomore midfielder Vanessa Mueggler slotted an excellent ball into the stride of a sprinting Shan Jones who took two touches and drilled a ball into the far-side netting from 12 yards.
The home side continued to their strong play and their offensive pressure almost led to them going 2-0 up in the 69th minute when midfielder Luisa Moscoso and forward Jen Threlkeld used a clever one-two to spring Moscoso in the area. However, the freshman's hard shot went into the arms of Red Raider goalkeeper Tina Rincon.
"I think that tonight we had one of the better first halves we have put together this season. We did some good things and the team worked really hard and got a great goal," Head Coach Aston Rhoden said. "I think the difference is that this match we didn't relax on the ball."
Texas Tech evened the scoreline late in the match when a shot went off the post and onto the feet of Kendyl Mygatt. The freshman forward easily tapped the ball into the back of the net to knot the score at a goal apiece in the 75th minute.
"We came out of the second half really flat and they got momentum. We had opportunities to win but we couldn't finish our chances," Rhoden said. "It was a good experience for our players and I think they battled very hard."
The Red Raiders had an opportunity to score the game-winning goal in the second overtime period when Brittney Harrison got behind the Blue Raider defense but her shot went just wide of the near post.
The Blue Raiders conclude the Middle Tennessee Classic when they match up against the High Point Panthers at Blue Raider Field on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1:30 PM. The match can be viewed live on GoBlueRaiders.com.
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