MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (August 29, 2024) – The University of North Alabama soccer team played its second road match of the season Thursday night in Murfreesboro, Tenn., notching the second win with a score of 2-1 over Middle Tennessee State University.
It was a midfielders playground at Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium Thursday night. Junior midfielder Molly Parham and freshman midfielder Anna Fugarino both scored goals to elevate the Lions to the win.
North Alabama (2-2) nearly led the way in every category. The Lions recorded 13 shots, seven shot on goal, three assists and six corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Allanah Blye added in four saves, three in the first half, to thwart the Blue Raiders' chances.
Middle Tennessee (1-3) started quickly with a goal in the 10th minute by forward Lexi Dendis to take the 1-0 lead. A drought ensued until Parham received an assist from Haley Patterson on a long shot on goal that netted in the top right to tie in the 39th minute before halftime.
MTSU struggled with eight fouls and two yellow cards in the game. An offside in the 11th minute took away a would-be score for the Blue Raiders.
The Lions' defense left the Blue Raiders speechless in the second half with nothing to show. Freshman phenom, Anna Fugarino, totaled 16 minutes but made the most of it with another goal receiving an assist from midfielder Emma Armstrong.
UNA started with a corner kick at the 64:29 mark with a shot from forward Olivia Heinert before being knocked out by a Blue Raider defender. Another corner kick came from Armstrong where Patterson tapped it to Fugarino to secure the lead.
A trio of freshmen saw minutes tonight in midfielder Gizelle El Assal, forward Ella Remy and Fugarino. Defenders Gracie Tyrrell and Saniya Johnson logged all 90 minutes. Parham, Blye and midfielder Addie Speight notched the 90 minute threshold, as well.
The Lions are back in action on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Southern Illinois University. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Carbondale, Ill. This will be UNA's third straight road game of the season, where the Lions have acquired a 1-1 road record.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
