CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee scored twice early and never looked back in a dominating 5-0 victory at Austin Peay in soccer action Friday evening at Morgan Brothers Soccer Field in Clarksville, Tenn. It marked the final non-conference match of the campaign for the Blue Raiders.
"It was a good game for the entire team, especially having the chance to get everyone minutes, which is a positive as we head into conference play," head coach Aston Rhoden said. "To enter the conference season with not only a win, but a dominating win, gives us an edge and some confidence."
Hope Suominen got the scoring started for MT with her first goal of the season on a Regina Thomas assist at 5:46. Thomas then was credited with her second helper of the contest, at 15:36, when she fed Vanessa Mueggler.
Behind the two early goals, the Blue Raider offense controlled much of the action during the opening 45 minutes, outshooting the Lady Govs, 9-3, during the period. Middle Tennessee (6-1-1) tacked on one more mark on the scoreboard before the half ended, at 39:30, as Elisabeth Sikes found team and conference-leading scorer Shan Jones. The score is Jones' third in the last three games and her seventh overall in 2009.
After the intermission, the Blue Raiders continued their offensive push by holding a 14-to-8 margin on shot attempts over Austin Peay (1-6-1). Whitney Jorgenson closed the scoring with two unassisted goals, her fourth and fifth tallies of the season, at the 60:26 and 64:30 marks, respectively.
Each Middle Tennessee player who was on the trip saw action, including all three goalkeepers who split the shutout for the second team blanking this season. Rebecca Cushing received her eighth start and played the first 63:10 before giving way to Jessica Gilchrist for 19:41. Erynn Murray then took over in between the pipes and was on the field for the final 7:09.
Of the 23 shots the Blue Raiders attempted, 19 were on goal, forcing the Austin Peay pair of goalies to register 14 saves. Jorgenson paced the squad with six shots, while Mueggler added four for Middle Tennessee.
Jazzmine Chandler and Mary Beth Burchett led the Lady Govs with two shots apiece.
The Blue Raiders continue their strong start to the season by increasing their record to 6-1-1, the second best start in school history. Only the 2006 squad had a better record through eight games in the 14-year history of the program.
Middle Tennessee will open its Sun Belt portion of the schedule at 7 p.m. Friday when it plays host to FIU at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.
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