A Crucial Test for the Blue Raiders
The Middle Tennessee women's soccer team will resume its road trip on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when it meets UT Martin at 7 p.m. The Blue Raiders are looking to build on a 2‑0‑0 start and chase a third straight victory, a feat they have not achieved since 2019.
Coach Aston Rhoden has guided the squad to two wins in as many outings, including a 2‑1 triumph over Belmont on August 14, 2025. The team has kept clean sheets in both games, conceding no goals while facing just 13 shots in the latest contest. Their defense, anchored by sophomore defender Scottie Newton, earned CUSA Defender of the Week honors for the performance.
Key Players to Watch
UT Martin, known as the Skyhawks, finished the previous Ohio Valley Conference season with a 3‑7‑9 record and placed sixth in the league. Leading scorer Peyton Cook, an All‑OVC forward, contributed an assist and topped the team in goals and points last year. Midfielder Unni Wolf returned from a brace in a 4‑0 win at Chicago State, while goalkeeper Mac Titus, a four‑time OVC Goalkeeper of the Week honoree, brings a .879 save percentage from 2025.
The Blue Raiders hold a 5‑2‑1 edge in the all‑time series against the Skyhawks, having won the most recent meeting in 2019 by a 2‑1 margin. They also carry a 2‑1 record in road encounters with UT Martin, adding extra motivation to extend their unbeaten streak away from home.
With captains Hannah Murphy and Megan Carroll providing leadership up front — Murphy netted a penalty kick against Troy and Carroll scored the second goal in a win over Southern Indiana — the team hopes to translate its early momentum into a decisive victory that could set the tone for the remainder of the season.