MURFREESBORO, Tenn. –The Middle Tennessee women’s soccer team (8-9-0, 5-4-0 CUSA) closed out its regular season slate for the 2024 campaign tonight senior night matchup against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (2-10-5, 0-7-2 CUSA) at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.
The play on the field was the mere start of the festivities tonight, as the Blue Raiders took care of business in their final outing in front of the home crowd, earning their fourth victory over the final six games of the season.
Seniors Faith Adje and Sascha Nielsen were honored during the post-game, senior night event, along with graduate student, Lauren Spaanstra, all of which played their final match at Dean A. Hayes Stadium, student assistant coach, Deyonna Lansden, and team photographer Khori Williams.
On the field, leading goalscorer Manon Lebargy opened the game’s scoring account in the 26th minute with her 12th goal of the season, giving MTSU the early 1-0 advantage.
In the 42nd minute, midfielder Hannah Murphy would double the Blue Raider lead with her first career goal and a world-class strike from 30 yards out. After dominating the opening 45 minutes, MTSU would control a 2-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
With less than 20 minutes remaining in the second half, Lebargy would complete her brace in the 71st minute, coming a corner assist from Spaanstra. Setup by another Spaanstra corner kick, Emma Brown would add her name to the scoresheet for the first time in a Middle Tennessee uniform just two minutes later in the 73rd, extending the home lead to 4-0.
Louisiana Tech would get one back in the 75th minute to bring the score to 4-1, but it would prove to be to little to late for the Bulldogs, as the Blue Raiders would return to the win column in their final match for 2024 in Murfreesboro.
By the Numbers
The Blue Raiders scored four goals in the regular season finale tonight against Louisiana Tech on 18 total attempts, including eight on goal. Lebargy recorded her third brace of the 2024 season tonight, improving her season total to 13, just one shy of the conference lead.
Murphy and Brown each scored their first goal of the 2024 season tonight, with Adje also getting on the scoresheet tonight with an assist on Murphy’s goal.
On the defensive end, Middle Tennessee held the Bulldogs to just one goal on 10 total shots and seven on frame. Goalkeeper Demi Gronauer extended her conference lead in the saves department with six more impressive saves tonight.
Next Fixture
The Blue Raiders have clinched the fifth seed in the Conference USA Tournament in Miami, Fla. and are scheduled to face fourth-seeded Sam Houston in a rematch of their meeting on Oct. 20. The match is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 7 P.M. CT.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Women’s Soccer on social media on Facebook, (BlueRaiderSoccer) X (MT_Soccer) and Instagram (mt_wsoccer).
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