Middle Tennessee Women’s Soccer Secures C-USA Tournament Spot with 1-0 Win

BREAKING: Middle Tennessee women’s soccer has clinched a spot in the Conference USA Tournament following a crucial 1-0 victory over Kennesaw State on Saturday night. The match, held at Fifth Third Stadium, was a decisive finish to their regular season, elevating their record to 10-5-3 overall and 5-2-1 in C-USA play.

Senior forward Emma Pettersen became the hero of the night, scoring the winning goal in the 71st minute with an assist from Taijah Fraser. This marked Pettersen’s ninth goal of the season, sealing the win in a tightly contested match.

Freshman goalkeeper Ella Sellers was pivotal in the Blue Raiders’ defense, making four saves and notably stopping a penalty kick in the 17th minute. Her performance contributed to her fourth shutout of the season, showcasing her exceptional skills under pressure.

The match intensified after a double red card incident in the 60th minute, resulting in both teams losing a player. Despite the setback, Middle Tennessee maintained composure, controlling possession with a 51% rate and outshooting the Owls 16-6, with a slight advantage of 3-4 in shots on goal.

Head Coach Aston Rhoden praised his team’s resilience, stating, “Really proud of the team’s performance tonight. It was another tough game, but we showed great resilience to earn the win. Now we’ll rest tomorrow and start preparing for the CUSA Tournament next weekend.”

With this victory, Middle Tennessee will enter the Conference USA Tournament as the fourth seed, set to compete in Lynchburg, VA, on November 2, 2023. Fans and supporters are encouraged to follow the Blue Raiders on social media for updates and coverage of the upcoming tournament.

Stay tuned for more updates as the team prepares for their postseason journey!