Blue Raiders start 2024 season on Sunday against Belmont

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee. – With Opening Day of the 2024 season on the horizon, the Middle Tennessee women’s soccer team is ready for its 28th season.^th campaign with a Sunday night game against the Belmont Bruins at 6 p.m. at the Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.

History vs. Belmont
The Blue Raiders face Belmont for the 16th time in program history, renewing a coveted in-state rivalry. Middle Tennessee leads the all-time series at 9-4-2, with their previous game against the Bruins ending in a 3-1 victory at Dean A. Hayes Stadium last season.

About Middle Tennessee
In 2024, the Blue Raiders will be led by a college-educated defender Lauren Spaanstratwo experienced players, midfielder Sascha Nielson and striker Faith Adje and senior transfer defender from Nova Southeastern Emma Brown.


Outstanding midfielder in 2023 Manon Lebargy scored the most goals on the team with eight goals and three assists, securing a place on the CUSA All-Conference Second Team. Before the 2024 season, the French native was named to the CUSA All-Conference Preseason Team.


The Blue Raiders have six newcomers in their 2024 roster as goalkeepers Demi Gronauerdefender Jess Gray And Allie CarrollMidfielder Ryan Colton And Aireona Duenez and further Lexi Dendis.


Head Coach Aston Rhoden begins his 23rd season at the helm of the program. The Jamaica native has led the Blue Raiders to three conference championships during his tenure and has an overall record of 201-160-38 entering this season.


Coach of Middle Tennessee Hannah Höfswho begins her third season in Murfreesboro, was promoted to assistant head coach on July 26 after Aston RhodenThe workforce will be hired in July 2022.



Quote from Coach Rhoden
“I'm excited for the season to start this Sunday,” Rhoden said in preparation for Sunday's season opener against the Bruins. “We're going to need our fans to help us get a positive result against a tough in-state rival, Belmont.”

About Belmont
Belmont started the 2024 season on Thursday with a 3-1 home loss to the Lindenwood Lions. Junior defender Kennedy Wise opened the Bruins' goal tally of the season with her third career goal.

Belmont features 16 returning players, including seniors Carly Ross, Leah Firsdon, Allison Brockelman and Summer Curtis and graduates Sydney Jones and Abbigail Legg, and 11 newcomers, including eight freshmen and three transfers.

Head coach Kelsey Cameron begins her second season at the helm of the Bruins, along with returning assistant coaches Daniel Vieira and Hailey Kerridge, as well as first-year goaltending coach Kate Mason.

Kickoff at Dean A. Hayes Stadium for MTSU vs. Belmont is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.

Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Women's Soccer on social media on Facebook (BlueRaiderSoccer), X (MT_Soccer) and Instagram (mt_wsoccer).