Lady Aces Fall to Middle Tennessee

The University of Evansville women’s soccer team battled Middle Tennessee into the second half Thursday night before the Blue Raiders pulled away for a 3-1 victory in Murfreesboro.

Middle Tennessee wasted little time getting on the board, as Hailey Phillips scored in the third minute to give the Blue Raiders an early 1-0 advantage. Evansville answered almost immediately.

Just over two minutes later, Brooklyn Robinson finished a chance off an assist from Taylor Johnson to tie the match at 1-1 in the fifth minute. It was Robinson’s second goal of the season, while Johnson picked up her first point of the year.

The score remained tied through halftime, and Evansville goalkeeper Bri Chirpich helped keep it that way early in the second half. Middle Tennessee generated four shots during the opening 15 minutes after the break, with Chirpich stopping all four. Evansville also threatened, with Josie Seehafer putting a shot on goal and Lily Kytasaari having an attempt blocked in the 65th minute.

Middle Tennessee finally broke through in the 68th minute when Ania Denham scored to put the Blue Raiders ahead 2-1. Phillips then added her second goal of the night in the 83rd minute to provide the final 3-1 margin.

The Blue Raiders finished with a 14-8 advantage in shots and a 12-4 edge in shots on goal. Chirpich recorded nine saves for Evansville, while Middle Tennessee also held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The loss drops Evansville to 2-2-1 on the season. The Purple Aces now turn their attention to Missouri Valley Conference play, which begins September 19 when Southern Illinois visits Arad McCutchan Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff.