Blue Raiders play host to Spring Classic Saturday

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee will play host to the 2006 Spring Classic at Richard Siegel Championship Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro Saturday - the first of three tournaments for the Blue Raiders this spring.

The Classic features three Division I programs as Austin Peay and Belmont join Middle Tennessee for this year's event. Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said he is excited about his team playing at the new state-of-the art Siegel Complex for the first time.

"We are very excited about playing both Austin Peay and Belmont and feel honored to be playing these games at the new Richard Siegel Park," Rhoden said. "It will be great to expose the community to women's collegiate soccer at such a fantastic soccer specific venue as Siegel Park.

"It should be a great soccer environment as the park also will be simultaneously hosting the 'Bash in the Boro' youth tournament."

The action begins with Middle Tennessee facing Austin Peay on the Stadium Field at 10 a.m. Austin Peay and Belmont will play at 12:30 p.m., followed by Middle Tennessee and Belmont at 3 p.m. The teams will play two 30-minute halves.

"Austin Peay is a very improved team under coach Kelley Poole and boasts several players from Murfreesboro," Rhoden said. "I'm sure these players will be ready to play in front of their families and friends, and this will make for an even tougher match. Lisa Howe has done a great job with the Belmont team she inherited last season. They gave us a very good game in the fall, and I'm certain they will be much better having spent more time with her."

Middle Tennessee's spring playing schedule continues with the College Showcase in Decatur, Ala., April 2. Participating teams include Mississippi State and Auburn-Montgomery.

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