The Mississippi State soccer team concluded its season Oct. 31 with a home loss to Mississippi, dropping the Bulldogs to 5-15 overall and 0-11 in the SEC. The Bulldogs finished winless in SEC competition for the first time since 1999 and failed to win the Magnolia Cup, the rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the MSU-Ole Miss game, for the third consecutive try.
The game also marked the last collegiate game for Bulldog seniors Mary Kate Ayers, Meredith Jacobson, Mariclaire Fancher, Bethany Frazier, Anna Goblirsch and Kevyn Shelledy.
Frazier and Jacobson finish their careers as second and third all time in minutes and appearances for the school. Frazier stands fifth all time in MSU history with 11 assists. She led the team in assists in 2006 and 2007.
“It’s just little things that made the difference, things we didn’t do in the final third with finishing goals. That is what we will work on in the offseason, ” said MSU head coach Neil Macdonald.
The Bulldogs lost nine games on the season and six SEC games by one goal. The Bulldogs have 10 recruits for the 2009 freshman class.
“We are going to have another big squad,” Macdonald said. “We are really excited for this class.”
Next year’s freshman class is loaded with strikers and midfielders, and the coaching staff will look for increased offensive production.
MSU striker Tarah Henderson led the SEC in shooting percentage, but could only create four goals. State had two SEC games this season without a shot on goal and five others with only one shot on target.
MSU’s defense was its strength. Goalkeeper Taryn Holland led the SEC in saves this season with a career high of 124. Holland stopped more than 10 shots on four occasions this year. She also finishes her junior campaign just five saves behind former Bulldog Kirsten Olsen for the MSU all time lead.
Macdonald is confident that there will be more defensive options in 2009.
“We moved Leanna Baldner and Hannah Tyler back to centerback,” Macdonald said. “At right back we had Mary Claire Scurria and Allison Ouren, the freshman. We will have options with Danielle Kite. Left back is her natural position.”
The lack of offense caused MSU to field players in different starting spots, including playing Kite as a striker and midfielder.
“Obviously I’m disappointed with the wins and losses but I dont think that the record had shown the potential that our team had,” senior defensive midfielder Goblirsh said.
Goblirsch said the team competed hard in every game but things just didn’t turn out like the players had hoped.
“I can walk away saying we were working until the end,” she said.
The Bulldogs improved on the field as the season progressed, but were unable to score or hold a lead.
The Bulldogs have not made the SEC Tournament since 2004, Macdonald’s first year in charge of the program. An SEC West championship has eluded the Bulldogs since 2001.
Another senior, midfielder Shelledy, echoed Goblirsh’s sentiments.
“We were pretty disappointed especially because we didn’t get a single SEC win,” Shelledy said.
MSU extended its SEC losing streak to 15 over the season, dating back to 2007.
“As long they put this season behind them and learn from mistakes and realize that it will take something special to get stuff done they will be better,” Shelledy said.