Feature Photo by Paige Mast
Story by Denver Sikorski
The Middle Tennessee women’s soccer team (3-5) came up short against South Alabama (5-3) at home losing 4-3. The game, originally scheduled for later that night, got moved up due to weather concerns.
The game’s first goal came in the tenth minute with a goal by South Alabama. This came from Middle Tennesse goalkeeper Demi Gronauer, who tried to punch away a corner kick, had the ball deflect off her, giving South Alabama the early 1-0 lead.
South Alabama doubled its lead in the 18th minute when forward Monique Gray had a one on one against Gronauer.
The second half was a different story, as Middle Tennessee came out with more rhythm and intensity whereas South Alabama started to slow down.
This rhythm began for Middle Tennessee with a score from Risui Arasaki where she was found by defender Lauren Spaanstra who hit a cross right to the middle of the penalty box. Arasaki with one touch, scored putting the ball in the top left corner.
“In the locker room we just talked about playing our game, in the first half we didn’t feel like we were connected so I think at halftime just trying to get us all on the same page and play our game and follow the game plan,” Spaanstra said.
MTSU would tie the game with its second goal coming from another Spaanstra assist. Spaanstra lofted a corner kick into the box finding Sadie Sterbenz who scored with the header.
Middle Tennessee gained its first lead of the game as a Lexi Dendis cross found an open Idun Kvaale scoring on an open net.
South Alabama would tie the game itself in the 84th minute as midfielder Irene Campo controlled a bouncing ball in the MTSU penalty box, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.
The momentum shifted when they tied the game, and learning how to manage the lead after coming back from a deficit is needed, MTSU coach Aston Rhoden said.
South Alabama would score again in the final minutes to regain the lead on a rebound goal by Juliana Lopes.
“I’m really proud of the fact that we were able to show that side of us as a team and not only be able to get back into the game but actually put ourselves in a position to the win the game,” Rhoden said.
Middle Tennessee starts conference play against FIU on Sept. 19.
Denver Sikorski is a contributing writer for MTSU Sidelines.
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