Inches decide Magnolia Cup
Jay D’Abramo, The Reflector
The Mississippi State and University of Mississippi soccer teams kicked off the first annual Magnolia Cup Friday night at the MSU soccer field.
The brand new event will consist of both teams competing on a yearly basis during the spring. Each year the game will take place on MSU’s campus during Super Bulldog Weekend, or on UM’s campus during their Red and Blue Weekend.
MSU head coach Neil McGuire said that the purpose of the cup is to gain game experience during the spring, celebrate soccer as a whole, and continue to expand the tradition of soccer in the state of Mississippi.
The inaugural game of the Magnolia Cup proved to be just like any contest between UM and MSU. Both teams started the game with energy and determination, but the Rebels had the early edge as they controlled much of the first half. However, as the first half ended, the game sat at 0-0.
As the second half got under way, the two teams exchanged passes and occasional shots until the 66th minute when MSU got its best shot on goal. Betty Ann Casey took a beautiful shot that hit off the far post and back into the field of play. Minutes later, in the 69th minute, Rebel forward Kelly Renie scored a goal on a chip shot just out of reach of keeper Courtney Hubert and into the back of the net.
MSU sophomore Amy Van Zandt nearly tied the game in the 79th minute on an incredible shot that sailed inches over the crossbar and out of the field of play. From then on, UM managed to hold off any other serious runs from the Bulldogs to claim the first annual Magnolia Cup.
“We worked really hard today,” Van Zandt said. “We liked playing against our rival.”