Murphy’s Hat Trick Powers MTSU Past Kennesaw State 3-0

Blue Raiders climb to fifth in Conference USA and snap winless skid with clinical road victory

KENNESAW, GA - Hannah Murphy delivered the first hat trick of the Conference USA season Sunday afternoon, scoring all three goals as Middle Tennessee women’s soccer blanked Kennesaw State 3-0 at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium.

The Blue Raiders (9-5-4, 2-3-2 CUSA) entered the match sitting eighth in the league standings and in danger of missing the eight-team conference tournament. They left with a much-needed win that moved them into fifth place and snapped a five-game winless streak. Kennesaw State fell to 5-9-3 overall and 2-5-0 in conference play on Senior Day.

Murphy opened the scoring in the 10th minute. After a free kick into the box, the ball deflected off Kennesaw State defender Sian Kellier and found the upper-left corner for a 1-0 MTSU lead. The Blue Raiders controlled possession for most of the first half, outshooting the Owls 8-6 and heading into the break with the one-goal advantage. Kennesaw State committed nine fouls before intermission.

The second half belonged even more decisively to Middle Tennessee. In the 61st minute, a handball in the box on Kennesaw State’s Paris McCulloch set up a penalty kick. Murphy stepped up and buried the spot kick into the bottom-left corner, making it 2-0.

Murphy completed the hat trick in the 79th minute. Freshman forward Ania Denham drove into the box and slipped a precise pass to Murphy, who finished low into the same bottom-left corner for the final 3-0 margin. The three-goal performance was the first hat trick recorded in Conference USA this season and pushed Murphy into a four-way tie with Denham for the league lead in goals.

Goalkeeper Ella Sellers earned the clean sheet with five saves. Charlee Bernal made six stops for the Owls. Middle Tennessee finished with an 11-foul total compared to Kennesaw State’s 19. The Blue Raiders also limited the home side to few clear chances despite Kennesaw State’s four corner kicks.

The victory keeps Middle Tennessee’s postseason hopes firmly alive with one regular-season game remaining. The Blue Raiders return home to host Western Kentucky on senior day next Sunday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. CDT at the Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium.

Murphy’s clinical finishing and the team’s defensive organization provided exactly the result Middle Tennessee needed on the road. The Blue Raiders will look to carry the momentum into the final stretch of the regular season and a potential Conference USA Tournament berth.