Feature Photo by Paige Mast
Story by Jacob Burgess
MTSU (7-7, 4-2 C-USA) beat rival Western Kentucky (3-7-3, 1-2-3 C-USA) in the pitch edition of 100 Miles of Hate, winning 2-0.
The Blue Raiders have settled into a much-needed groove as the conference tournament looms.
Western Kentucky may not be the same team they have been in recent years, sitting nowhere near the top of the conference standings, but for MTSU the win is a step closer to flipping the page.
Regardless of the sport or location, the rivalry is there between Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. Match attendance counted 500 people in the stands, which is easily the most fans at a game all season.
Aston’s Army who are truly soccer fans, come to every match made a big difference with the energy especially late in the game, head coach Aston Rhoden said.
Aston’s Army, the MTSU supporter section, had bucket drums that were played for the entire 90 minutes plus halftime without a break or slowing up.
MTSU held on to the win against WKU which is something that has hindered the Blue Raiders. In three of seven losses, Middle Tennessee were the first to score but would end of losing the game.
Against Western Kentucky, the Blue Raiders found some success. MTSU jumped to an early lead and was able to add on with a second goal, but the last 30 minutes were a messy defensive affair.
We didn’t manage the pressure as well as we should have, using our methods but we did hold the lead which we have stressed lately, Rhoden said.
“We have been able to do that fairly well the last several games, a lot of it is shift in the mindset and making certain things important,” Rhoden said. “Like keeping clean sheets and making it harder for people to score goals against us.”
The next two games are what will make or break the Blue Raiders season. MTSU will travel to Sam Houston and then Liberty, both teams right up there in the standings with Middle Tennessee.
Sam Houston is reeling from back-to-back losses against Liberty and FIU and will try to right its own ship against Middle Tennessee at home.
Liberty on the other hand has only lost one game thus far, with that loss coming against FIU. The Flames also have a ranked win over Virginia Tech.
The focus is on us and our game plan, trying to play our game, defender Sascha Nielsen said.
Middle Tennessee must focus on keeping the game close, especially against Liberty. MTSU is tied for last on goals allowed per game in C-USA, and for a team that has not finished in a tie all season, a tie might be the most realistic opportunity.
A win and tie situation in the next two games means MTSU would sit 16 points in that third or fourth place spot going into the final game.
Jacob Burgess is the lead sports reporter for MTSU Sidelines.
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