Stifling defense and a first-half offensive explosion lifted the Mississippi State soccer team to a season opening 3-0 win over Mississippi Valley State on Friday. A standing-room-only crowd of 673 was on hand, marking the third-largest crowd in MSU soccer history.
State freshman Tarah Henderson opened the scoring after beating a defender and finding herself one-on-one 15 yards out against Valley goalkeeper Jordan Thomas. Sophomore midfielder Leanna Baldner doubled the home side’s lead a mere 21 seconds later, finishing a cross from freshman winger Lauren Morgan.
Baldner ruled the midfield for 90 minutes, racking up six shots and a goal. Two additional shots found the net before Baldner was ruled offside.
“We put three away, that’s all that matters today,” Baldner said. “We are happy with that.”
State’s midfield dominance allowed for superior time of possession, and Baldner reserved special praise for new assistant coach Sarah Strickland.
“We have a new coach who is specifically our midfield coach, and we’ve done a great job in practice.” Baldner said. Strickland joined State from Birmingham (Ala.) United Soccer Association in February.
Another freshman, striker Taylor Turnipseed, completed the scoring seven minutes later sneaking the ball under the Valley goalkeeper. With the 3-0 lead, State remained hungry for goals, and second half chances from Lauren Morgan, redshirt senior Kevyn Shelledy and freshman Serena Prendergast kept Valley frustrated and defending with all 11 players.
“It was nerve racking at first, but I just shot and it went in,” Henderson said after the match, still overcome by scoring in her first collegiate game. “Then we got the second goal right away. That gives you so
much confidence.”
Henderson also picked up a yellow card for dangerous play following a challenge against Valley’s goalkeeper.
Valley’s best scoring threat was a breakaway in the first half that ended when MSU goalkeeper Taryn Holland forced Valley forward Jency Jose into a lazy, weak cross which State defenders Meredith Jacobson and Hannah Tyler nullified.
State limited the Devilettes to only one shot on target, which was easily held by Holland. Another effort from Valley sailed well over the crossbar. As State’s lead and late game possession began to frustrate
Valley, Jose picked up two yellow cards in successive tackles in the 77th minute, either of which could have been an immediate ejection with a less lenient center official.
“We were great tonight, starting with the offense and the defense was great. I don’t get many games like this where you don’t have to stop any shots,” Holland said.
Last year Holland faced 7.47 shots per game, but this year’s defense is more experienced, featuring two seniors and two juniors.
“I have so much confidence in my backline,” Holland said. “We are starting to get all the little things done and now we were dominating.”
Indeed the faster and more skilled Bulldogs kept the ball on Valley’s half nearly the entire match, often working the ball to the goal line and crossing the ball.
The Bulldogs registered 24 shots, 13 of which were on target.
State head coach Neil Macdonald praised his defense.
“We worked in practice on cutting the field in two, right up the middle, and making them work against the sideline, and we did that tonight,” he said. “I am delighted with our performance. The defense did well, the midfield played well, and the two freshman strikers played extremely well, too.”