2008 Woodie Awards
MT soccer having trouble taking advantage of scoring opportunities
Andrew McNamara
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
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Through three games, the Raiders have managed two goals on 48 shots.
On Sunday, the Blue Raiders lost to Belmont 1-0, despite outshooting the Bruins 19-11 in the game. The loss, their second home defeat, drops the team to 0-1-2 on the season.
Head coach Aston Rhoden said he was disappointed in his team's inability to find the back of the net despite repeated attempts.
"That was a very disappointing game for us," Rhoden said. "We have so much ability up top, we just couldn't finish our chances, and we had our chances."
They got their chance in the second half, when MT outshot the Bruins 12-3, and freshman midfielder Laura Lamberth ripped a shot from about 35 yards out that just hit off the crossbar.
Also, freshman forward Shan Jones had several near-breakaways stopped by a pack of Bruin defenders everytime she started to see an opening.
"I think the opportunities were created, but I didn't get to finish them," Jones said. "We all didn't play too well."
The lone goal in the game came off a penalty kick late in the first half. Junior forward Annie Musacchio hit the shot of a lifetime from atop the 18-yard box that bent around the four person wall and just off the fingertips of MT goalie Kela Casiple.
Bruins head coach Lisa Howe was very happy to get a tough road win against a cross-town rival.
"We knew we might have limited opportunities and knew we needed to take advantage when we got one," Howe said. "But this is one of the better games we have played this year, and the first half was one of the best we played and we're fortunate it came at the right time."
On Friday, the Blue Raiders started the 2008 home schedule with a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to the Vanderbilt Commodores at Blue Raider Field, their first home opener loss since 2001. On Aug. 23, the Blue Raiders tied 1-1 with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in Jacksonville, Ala.
The Blue Raiders return to action when they open the Middle Tennessee Classic with a match against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Blue Raider Field.
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