MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee women's soccer (6-3-2, 1-0-0 CUSA) opened conference play with a 1-0 victory over Jacksonville State (6-3-2, 0-1-0) Sunday afternoon at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.

It marked the Blue Raiders' first win in a conference opener since 2021, when they defeated FIU at Hayes Stadium. The lone goal came in the 55th minute, as senior Yana Yordanova calmly converted a penalty kick to give MTSU the lead.

Goalkeeper Demi Gronauer anchored the back line with five saves to secure her 3rd clean sheet of the season, while the Blue Raiders outshot Jacksonville State 11–5 in the opening half.

Head coach Aston Rhoden on the win:
"I think our defensive unit has been strong all season, and the objective was clear for us to get three points. It didn't really matter what it looked like; we just wanted to find a way to win this game. We had players getting their bodies in front of shots and making key blocks, and that made the difference."

Yordanova on her penalty kick:
"I put the ball on the penalty spot and patiently waited for the signal. I wasn't nervous or stressed. I knew I was confident, and I knew it was going in."

By the numbers:

MTSU finished with 14 shots, including six on frame, while Jacksonville State outshot the Raiders 15-14 but could not break through.

Emma Pettersen paced the Blue Raiders with a team-high five shots, while Taijah Fraser and Alli Craig added two apiece, and Emma Brown and Mya Stenehjem each put an attempt on target.

Up next:  
Middle Tennessee will travel to face Western Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. CT at the WKU Soccer Complex.