Blue Raiders battle to scoreless draw vs. Arkansas St.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's soccer season continued to hold form against visiting Arkansas State as the teams played to a scoreless draw at Blue Raider Field Sunday afternoon.

The Blue Raiders (6-5-3, 3-2-1) were attempting to win three straight and gain momentum down the stretch for the first time this season but they were left with the disappointing draw and were shutout for the third time. As has generally been the case, Middle Tennessee had several opportunities but misfired on numerous scoring chances.

"Give Arkansas State credit for battling and keeping us off the board today and I take nothing from them but I also don't feel like we played a very good soccer match," Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said. "We played a great defensive match but we couldn't capitalize on some scoring chances, especially early when we had a chance to put the pressure on them."

Middle Tennessee's Kala Morgan scored in the sixth minute when a corner kick was deflected her way and she deposited it in the back corner; however, the Blue Raiders were called off-side and the only goal they would score was wiped off.

"We had a goal wiped off on an offside call and I'm certain we were onside but the official did not see it that way," Rhoden said. "Despite that, we had many more chances and we just didn't play well today."

Arkansas State (3-9-1, 0-5-1) had lost all eight matches played between the teams before battling to Sunday's scoreless draw. Keeper Brielan Smiechowski had 13 saves in the double-overtime match and continuously knocked away would-be goals in pressure situations.

The Blue Raiders maintained possession for the most part and controlled the match. They had 22 shots to Arkansas State's eight, as well as five corner kick chances. Freshman keeper Kela Casiple had three saves and lowered her goal-against-average to 0.58 with her fourth shutout.