MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Middle Tennessee women's soccer team (2-0-0) opened its home schedule with a 3-0 victory over Jackson State (0-2-0) on Sunday at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.

The Blue Raiders are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2016. Their last home-opening win came in 2021 against Belmont. Freshman goalkeeper Ella Sellers made her season debut in the starting lineup. 

Middle Tennessee struck first at the 7:44 mark with a goal from senior forward Emma Pettersen. Freshman forward Alli Craig added the second goal at 13:32, assisted by junior defender Sadie Sterbenz. Craig completed her first career brace at 59:28 with help from senior forward Idun Kvaale. The Blue Raiders' defense limited the Tigers by one shot from Alayla Jackson at the 88:20 mark, saved by Sellers. 

Coach Aston Rhoden on Craig:
"Alli has had a great preseason camp and has been one of our more consistent goal scorers in practice. The work you put in at practice correlates with the minutes you earn in a game, and we trust her to do the same things in games that she does in practice."

Craig on her second goal:
"I knew where Idun [Kvaale] was going to play the ball. I knew it was going to be a good service. From all the practices we've had, we've built up trust, and I know they'll get the service off. I just have to be there to finish it."

By the Numbers
Middle Tennessee recorded 19 shots, including 13 on goal, and earned 11 corner kicks.

Craig is the second freshman to score this season, joining forward Olivia Best, who netted a goal against Belmont on Aug. 14.

Next Match Up 
Middle Tennessee will host Alabama A&M on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. at Dean A. Hayes Stadium.