Middle Tennessee Women's Soccer Defeats Jax State 2-0 in Conference USA Opener

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Middle Tennessee Women's Soccer started their Conference USA campaign with a 2-0 victory over Jax State on Sunday. Saachi Bureau and Hannah Murphy scored in rapid succession, securing the team's first three points of the conference season and improving their record to 8-2-2 overall. This positions them tied for first place on the CUSA leaderboard after the opening week.

MTSU head coach Aston Rhoden expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their execution on the field and the energy provided by the bench. He noted the team’s resilience and ability to play to their identity, contributing to a tough road win.

In the first half, Middle Tennessee outshot Jax State 8-1, with Ania Denham leading the attack with a career-high four shots against Gamecocks goalkeeper Camdyn Magrosky. Despite their offensive efforts, the Blue Raiders could not break the deadlock before halftime.

The breakthrough occurred in the 56th minute when Liza Miller played a through ball to Phillips, who delivered a precise cross to Bureau. Bureau scored, netting her second goal of the season. Just two minutes later, MTSU capitalized on a turnover from Jax State. Bureau intercepted a poor pass and assisted Luiza Junior dos Santos, who set up Murphy for a goal—Murphy’s fourth goal of the season, marking a personal best.

Both goals were scored within 2:14, the fastest MTSU has achieved multiple goals since October 19, 2025. Denham's assist marked her fifth consecutive game with a goal contribution, a feat not accomplished by any Blue Raider since Peyton DePriest in 2021.

Goalkeeper Ella Sellers recorded three saves, maintaining a shutout and extending her perfect record in goal to 447 minutes. This eighth shutout of the season leaves MTSU just one short of last year's total while keeping pace with national leaders in the category.

With this victory, Rhoden improved his and the program's record in Conference USA openers to 8-6. Middle Tennessee will host reigning CUSA tournament champion Liberty on Thursday, October 1, at 7 p.m. and will face Sam Houston on Sunday, October 4, at 1 p.m. in Murfreesboro.