Friday, November 1
Murfreesboro, TN
7:00 p.m.
Louisiana Tech University
at
Middle Tennessee
Photo by: Darrell James
Preview: LA Tech at Middle Tennessee
10/31/2024 1:56:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Bulldogs battle Blue Raiders on Friday night in season finale
RUSTON – Louisiana Tech will close out the 2024 season on Friday night when they take on Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro.
MATCH INFORMATION
Date/Time: Friday, Nov. 1 | 7 p.m. CT
Location: Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Field (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Watch: ESPN+
Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (2-9-5, 0-6-2 CUSA)
LA Tech was in command in its previous match versus New Mexico State, scoring a goal in the 15th minute. That goal would hold up until the Aggies equalized in the 75th minute and punched in the game winner with just three minutes remaining in the match to take the 2-1 victory. This marked the second straight match the Bulldogs, which has suffered six straight losses, were unable to maintain a lead as they also held a 1-0 advantage against UTEP before the Miners erased their deficit with two second-half goals.
Sophomore Kyra Taylor was credited with the goal versus the Aggies. It was her third of the season, tying the season high by a Bulldog (Kalli Matlock also has three). Taylor, the reigning CUSA Freshman of the Year, now has 12 career goals in 36 matches played.
Scoring has been the crux for the Bulldogs this season, having totaled just 11 goals (fewest since the program's inaugural season in 2004). LA Tech has been strong defensively, allowing just 1.69 goals per game, the best since 2021. The combination of defense and lack of scoring has attributed to the Bulldogs having five ties this season, which has tied the program record (2008 and 2017).
Fifth-year senior is slated to make her 78th career start on Friday, which will tie the program record held by Jaelyn Peeples (2016-19). Her 86th appearance in a game this past Sunday moved her up to second on the all-time career matches played list.
ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE (7-9-0, 4-4-0 CUSA)
After putting together a three-game winning streak with wins over Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, and WKU, the Blue Raiders have dropped back-to-back road contests to Sam Houston and Liberty, falling 2-1 in both matches.
Middle Tennessee is averaging 2.19 goals per game on offense, having scored multiple goals in nine of its 16 matches this season. Manon Lebargy is the primary goal scorer, having netted 11 goals which is tied for the second most in CUSA.
Defensively, Demi Gronauer has started all 16 matches in net for the Blue Raiders, having totaled 79 sales with a 1.96 goals against average.
THE SERIES
LA Tech has had the upper hand in the all-time series against Middle Tennessee, leading 5-1-1. The Bulldogs have won four straight, including last season's 2-0 shutout win in Ruston. The team is also unbeaten versus the Blue Raiders in Murfreesboro, going 3-0-1. This will mark the third straight season LA Tech and Middle Tennessee will battle on the pitch.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Soccer, follow us on X (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSoccer), and Facebook (LATechSoccer).
MATCH INFORMATION
Date/Time: Friday, Nov. 1 | 7 p.m. CT
Location: Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Field (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Watch: ESPN+
Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (2-9-5, 0-6-2 CUSA)
LA Tech was in command in its previous match versus New Mexico State, scoring a goal in the 15th minute. That goal would hold up until the Aggies equalized in the 75th minute and punched in the game winner with just three minutes remaining in the match to take the 2-1 victory. This marked the second straight match the Bulldogs, which has suffered six straight losses, were unable to maintain a lead as they also held a 1-0 advantage against UTEP before the Miners erased their deficit with two second-half goals.
Sophomore Kyra Taylor was credited with the goal versus the Aggies. It was her third of the season, tying the season high by a Bulldog (Kalli Matlock also has three). Taylor, the reigning CUSA Freshman of the Year, now has 12 career goals in 36 matches played.
Scoring has been the crux for the Bulldogs this season, having totaled just 11 goals (fewest since the program's inaugural season in 2004). LA Tech has been strong defensively, allowing just 1.69 goals per game, the best since 2021. The combination of defense and lack of scoring has attributed to the Bulldogs having five ties this season, which has tied the program record (2008 and 2017).
Fifth-year senior is slated to make her 78th career start on Friday, which will tie the program record held by Jaelyn Peeples (2016-19). Her 86th appearance in a game this past Sunday moved her up to second on the all-time career matches played list.
ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE (7-9-0, 4-4-0 CUSA)
After putting together a three-game winning streak with wins over Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, and WKU, the Blue Raiders have dropped back-to-back road contests to Sam Houston and Liberty, falling 2-1 in both matches.
Middle Tennessee is averaging 2.19 goals per game on offense, having scored multiple goals in nine of its 16 matches this season. Manon Lebargy is the primary goal scorer, having netted 11 goals which is tied for the second most in CUSA.
Defensively, Demi Gronauer has started all 16 matches in net for the Blue Raiders, having totaled 79 sales with a 1.96 goals against average.
THE SERIES
LA Tech has had the upper hand in the all-time series against Middle Tennessee, leading 5-1-1. The Bulldogs have won four straight, including last season's 2-0 shutout win in Ruston. The team is also unbeaten versus the Blue Raiders in Murfreesboro, going 3-0-1. This will mark the third straight season LA Tech and Middle Tennessee will battle on the pitch.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Soccer, follow us on X (@LATechSOC), Instagram (@LATechSoccer), and Facebook (LATechSoccer).
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerTuesday, September 23
Saturday, August 23
Tuesday, August 19
Tuesday, August 19
