A raucous crowd greeted Middle Tennessee at Blue Raider Field and they were immediately given something more to cheer for in the first minute of play. Blue Raider striker Lynsey Carrier opened the scoring for the home side after a deflected cross into the box found her feet and she fired it from eight yards out past sprawling Austin Peay goalkeeper Michelle Smith.

Middle Tennessee began exploiting the space down the right side of the field as the game wore on and saw a Heather McDonnell cross deflect out of play for a corner in the 20th minute. Austin Peay's defending left plenty to be desired when the ensuing corner kick from Kim Farrant was struck home from six yards by a leaping Jenna Bowers to widen the lead to 2-0.

The home side struck again in the 38th minute when the Lady Gov's turned the ball over in their defensive third and the resulting scramble at the top of the box was met by the right foot of Vanessa Mueggler, who struck a superb curling drive past the diving Austin Peay goalkeeper.

The Blue Raiders came into the match looking to find an early rhythm with a roster full of young players and succeeded in stifling the Lady Govs attack until the 77th minute. Kellie Cannon found space down the right side and crossed to Hannah Jones in the area who struck home a one-time shot from five yards out over the outstretched hands of Blue Raider goalkeeper Erynn Murray.

Middle Tennessee was strong in possession over the final 13 minutes and never looked back as they began the fall season on a high note with a 3-1 victory over their regional foes.

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