MOBILE, Ala. - Seniors Jen Threlkeld and Sarah Beth Lee combined for two-thirds of the team's goals as the Middle Tennessee soccer team garnered a 3-2 road Sun Belt victory Sunday afternoon at South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. Threlkeld netted the equalizer before Lee posted her second career tally for the game winner.
"It's good to bounce back from Friday," head coach Aston Rhoden said. "It was good to see the team rebound and play a complete 90 minutes. We played a good solid game against a solid South Alabama team on the road. Now our attention turns to returning home next weekend."
Sophomore Hope Suominen, the team's leader in assists, added a score of her own when she sent a free kick past Lady Jaguar goalkeeper Cassie Lythjohan at 22:20 to give MT a 1-0 edge.
South Alabama (2-9-1, 0-3-1 Sun Belt), however, countered with the next two scores to take a one-goal advantage. Allie Frakes registered the equalizer at 33:10 as she headed in a corner kick from Sam Stocker at the right post.
Brandi Smith then put the home team in the second half, at 66:47, as she broke free down the right side and fired her attempt from 25 yards out past Blue Raider keeper Rebecca Cushing.
Middle Tennessee (9-2-1, 3-1 Sun Belt) did not quit and on the ensuing kick-off, freshman Whitney Jorgenson found Threlkeld alone on the right flank. Threlkeld took the pass and placed her top-of-the-box shot to the left post to knot the scoring once again 13 seconds later, at 67:00.
The Blue Raiders maintained the offensive pressure over the next 12 minutes when freshman Allison Stallard sent a pass towards the net, finding the head of Lee at 79:24, for what proved to be the game winner. Lee becomes the 13th different Middle Tennessee player to score this season.
MT out-shot USA, 17-8, and held a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks. The Blue Raiders were led by Threlkeld's five attempts, including three on goal. Luisa Moscoso added three shots off the bench.
Smith paced the Lady Jaguars with three shots, while Natalie Parsons added a pair.
Middle Tennessee will resume its season at 7 p.m. Friday when it returns to Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium to face Arkansas State. The Blue Raiders will also play UALR at 1 p.m. Sunday as part of the two-game homestand.
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