MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Two quick goals in the game's first seven minutes by the host Blue Raiders proved to be the difference as the HBU women's soccer team dropped a 3-1 non-conference decision to Middle Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.
The first goal of the match came at the 2:40 mark when the Blue Raiders (3-2-1) intercepting a pass in the HBU (0-5) defensive end and Taylor Hamlett scoring off a cross. Less than four minutes later, Sam DeBien staked MT to a 2-0 lead. HBU senior
Avery Cortez put the Huskies on the board, converting a penalty kick in the 26
th minute after
Xya Balderas was pulled down in the box. The Huskies trailed 2-1 at the half.
Middle Tennessee again extended its lead to two in the 68
th minute thanks to a goal by Peyton DePriest.
The Huskies nearly matched the Blue Raiders in shot attempts with Middle Tennessee holding a 17-14 advantage with both teams sending five of their shots on goal. HBU's
Karla Ramirez finished with two saves while her counterpart had four. HBU held the advantage in corners, earning seven to MT's three.
Cortez's goal was the 13
th of her career, tying her for 10
th on the HBU all-time list for career goals scored.
HBU will open Southland Conference play this coming Friday, Sep. 10, in Corpus Christi, Texas with a matchup against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at 7:00 p.m. before playing one final non-conference game on Sunday at UTSA.
