Middle Tennessee reaches double-figure wins

MOBILE, Ala. - Middle Tennessee sophomore Paige Goeglein netted the game's only goal and junior Rebecca Cushing registered her second-straight solo shutout in between the pipes to lift the Blue Raider soccer team to a 1-0 road Sun Belt triumph over South Alabama Thursday night at The Cage in Mobile, Ala.

The goal, Goeglein's third in the last two games, came at 14:07 when she redirected a Whitney Jorgenson corner kick into the cage behind Lady Jags keeper Melissa Drish. It was one of five corner kick opportunities on the night for Middle Tennessee (10-8, 7-2 Sun Belt), which won for the fourth consecutive match and seventh in its last eight outings.

The Blue Raiders, although holding a slim 8-7 shot advantage at the half, dominated in the second frame by outshooting South Alabama (4-13-1, 2-7 Sun Belt), 9-1, in the final 45 minutes.

Cushing collected just two saves for her fourth shutout of the campaign. She has not allowed more than a goal in 10 consecutive matches, including all nine in league play.

Senior Vanessa Mueggler paced Middle Tennessee with four shots, while Goeglein and Regina Thomas each contributed three.

Three Lady Jags had two shots apiece in the losing effort.

The Blue Raiders will return home for their next-to-last home match of the fall at 1 p.m. Sunday when they play host to Troy at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.