KENNESAW, Ga. – Middle Tennessee Women's Soccer made a statement on Sunday afternoon as Hannah Murphy's hat trick returned the Blue Raiders to winning ways at Kennesaw State, 3-0.
 
MTSU improves to 9-5-4 (2-3-2) with the victory, rising to fifth in the Conference USA. Kennesaw State falls to 5-9-3 (2-5 CUSA) and seventh in the conference standings.
 
''I'm really pleased with the overall effort of the entire team,'' MTSU Head Coach Aston Rhoden said. ''I thought after a tough result against New Mexico State it was good to see the team rebound on the road and secure another vital three points.''
 
In the 10th minute, Murphy lined up outside the box for the Blue and White's first attacking set piece opportunity of the match. She sent in a cross that deflected off of a defender's head, sending the ball past KSU goalkeeper Charlee Bernal, who came off of her line to claim the attempt. 

Near the end of the first half, Kennesaw State created two successive opportunities to score, beginning with a first-time Ava Bradford shot from the edge of the area. MTSU goalkeeper Ella Sellers put safe hands on the pacy ball for her first of five saves on the afternoon.
 
Two minutes later, co-leading CUSA goalscorer Anabel Orozco drove down the left sideline before unleashing a shot of her own that Sellers kept out of harm's way.
 
The Blue Raiders both outshot (8-6) and outpossessed (55%) the Owls in the first half as they took the lead into the break.
 
To begin the second half, Hailey Phillips created a chance as she dribbled down the right wing towards the box, slotting a pass amidst three defenders towards the waiting Payton Pitman. The freshman received the ball on the half turn and aimed towards goal, but a diving Bernal save denied the freshman the score.
 
At the hour mark, Phillips once again caused trouble, receiving a through ball in space that she played towards Ania Denham, whose shot was saved by Bernal with a quick reaction.
 
On the ensuing corner kick, Murphy caught the Owls defense lacking, quickly putting the ball in play to accelerate the MTSU attack. Jess Gray received the ball with open space on the edge of the box, who took a shot that hit the hand of a Kennesaw State defender, earning a penalty kick. As smartly as she began the attacking move, Murphy sent Bernal the wrong way for her third career penalty kick and first career brace.

MTSU continued to lay on the pressure as it rattled off 10 shots in the second half, keeping the pedal on the gas as it did its best to secure the three important conference points.
 
In the 79th minute, Phillips once again orchestrated the MTSU attack, sending in Denham after controlling an errant Kennesaw State clearance. The Blue Raider number nine dribbled towards the box, dragging defenders with her, before playing in Murphy who found open space. The co-captain took one touch and swiftly swung for the bottom left corner, giving Bernal no chance as she scored her first career hat trick and league-leading eighth goal of the season.

The goal marked the first hat trick for any player in CUSA in 2026, and the first for an MTSU player since Faith Adje against Chicago State on Sept. 23, 2023. Additionally, Murphy earned her sixth goal contribution in six games, lifting her to the co-leading spot in CUSA for goals (8) and the co-secondary spot for points (18). Her six points in the match tied the single-game season high for points by any CUSA player as the Lakewood, Colo., native continues to have her best career season to date.
 
With her assist on Murphy's third goal, Denham now co-leads CUSA in points (19) while continuing to co-lead in goals. She also tied her career-high shots-on-goal tally with three.
 
Maaja Fischer's 80 minutes and Addie Martin's 40 minutes, in addition to the former's two shots and one target, are single-game career highs for the sophomores.
 
With her five saves on Sunday, Sellers recorded her tenth career shutout and fifth of 2026, making her the seventh goalkeeper in program history to reach double-digit shutouts.
 
Up Next
Middle Tennessee will host rivals Western Kentucky at Dean A. Hayes on Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. in the regular season finale. The occasion will also mark MTSU's senior night, which will commemorate and honor the 2026 MTSU Women's Soccer senior class. Following the final matchweek's results, MTSU can clinch a spot in the 2026 CUSA Women's Soccer Championship for the third time in as many seasons.
 
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