BOCA RATON, Fla. - No. 4 seed Middle Tennessee scored first but could not hold back a rally from North Texas as the Blue Raiders fell 2-1 Wednesday afternoon in the quarterfinal round of the Sun Belt Tournament at the FAU Soccer Complex in Boca Raton, Fla. The fifth-seeded Middle Tennessee squad ends its season at 12-6-2, tied for the third best record in school history.
"I think we played a very solid game against a quality opponent," head coach Aston Rhoden said. "Their goals were against the run of play and unfortunately one was late. I am really proud of the effort our team put in today. We have a solid foundation of players on which to build for the future."
Junior Vanessa Mueggler, a second team All-Sun Belt honoree, netted the Blue Raiders' only goal of the match at 57:13 when senior Jen Threlkeld served a ball from the top right corner of the 18-yard box. Mueggler's goal is her 10th of the season, extending her career-best total and providing MT with a pair of players (Shan Jones, 11) with double-digit goals for the first time since 2006 when three players reached the plateau.
Shortly after Mueggler's goal, the Mean Green responded as Michelle Young found a wide-open Shannon Gorrie near the right post for a finish at 60:21.
Young then netted the game winner when her floating shot bounced off the right post into the net at 87:01, allowing No. 5 seed North Texas to advance with a 12-5-2 record to face No. 8 seed UALR in Thursday's semifinals. The Trojans upset No. 1 seed FIU, 1-0 in overtime, during the day's first match.
Mueggler led the Blue Raiders with four shots, while First Team All-Sun Belt pick Jones added three attempts at the Mean Green cage. Kendall Juett paced the Mean Green with four shots, as the higher seed held a 23-12 advantage in the category.
Middle Tennessee sophomore goalkeeper Rebecca Cushing grabbed a career-high 11 saves, one more than she had collected in the double-overtime tie against Oklahoma Sept. 4.
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