MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee soccer team (5-7-4, 2-4-2 C-USA) dropped its second straight loss Friday evening with a 3-1 decision to North Texas at Hayes Soccer Stadium as Conference USA Tournament bids hang in the balance.

The Mean Green got on the board first, when Vanessa Ibewuike sent a cross to Lynda Hercules in the 17th minute to give North Texas a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked Hercules’ fourth of the season.

Despite just one goal in the half, both goalkeepers managed to stay fairly busy during the first 45 minutes. MT’s Kelsey Brouwer snagged three saves in the opening period, while NT keeper Haley Riley grabbed six.

The Blue Raiders came back firing in the second half as Grace Summers netted the equalizer during the 54th minute. She got the ball in the box after a deep pass by teammate Emily Jorgenson, who was credited with the assist. The goal was Summers’ fourth of the 2013 campaign.

However, the contest wouldn’t stay knotted up for long as the Mean Green took a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute, when an MT foul set Kelsey Hodges up for a penalty kick. Hodges’ goal was her seventh of the season.

The North Texas offense kept charging away though, adding extra insurance in the 66th minute, when Amber Haggerty made a move to fake out her defender inside the box, giving NT the eventual 3-1 win.

On the night, Brouwer collected five saves, while Riley gathered nine. Riley improved to 10-3-1 on the season.

Middle Tennessee outshot North Texas 17-11 with 10 shots on goal, compared to the Mean Green’s eight. MT claimed the corner kick contest 3-1.

The Blue Raiders return to action Sunday, Oct. 27, hosting FIU for a 1 p.m. C-USA match.