The Mississippi State (5-4) women’s soccer team faces its toughest home test of the season when it opens conference play against No. 9 Louisiana State (6-0) in Starkville tonight. Sunday, SEC play continues when the Arkansas Razorbacks (7-1) come to Starkville.
LSU has reached its highest national ranking in program history as well as a new school record for consecutive wins to start a season. After last weeks 4-0 drubbing of Oklahoma, LSU comes to Starkville with the fourth most goals per game and eighth-best goals against per game averages in Division 1 soccer, averaging one conceded goal every three games. For the second time this season, LSU freshman goalkeeper Mo Isom was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Freshman of the Week for her performance against Oklahoma.
MSU midfielder Kevyn Shelledy is one of six four-year letter winners at MSU. This weekend marks the start of their last SEC campaign.
“We do have a tough weekend ahead,” Shelledy said. “We will have to be ready to step up and play all 90 minutes. We have been in the habit of waiting until after the first 20 minutes to start playing. Winning last weekend has everyone ready for conference play.”
LSU has won the last two matches over the Bulldogs in heartbreaking fashion, both by a 1-0 score, but Shelledy thinks tonight’s home field advantage will make the difference.
“They have to earn our respect. They are not coming on our turf and walking all over us,” Shelledy said.
MSU has not beaten LSU since the Bulldogs’ SEC Western Division Championship season in 2001.
MSU Coach Neil Macdonald believes the team’s tough pre-conference schedule has prepared the team for conference play.
“We start league play, and that will be significantly different than what we have played so far,” Macdonald said. “I think we have played a tougher schedule than our opponents. We have certainly thrown in some top teams. I think we are confident.”
Macdonald said the biggest obstacle facing the team this weekend is overcoming two excellent defenses.
“We need to get organized offensively,” Macdonald said. “Right now we are working on a pressured attack system. We have been working on the transition from defense to attack.”
The Razorbacks have only allowed four goals on the season and have not conceded any since a 4-3 win over Oral Roberts August 31. Arkansas comes into Starkville on a six-match winning streak.
Junior defender Hannah Tyler said the Bulldogs are getting on form at the right time of the season.
“We are really excited, and we are going to come out hard,” Tyler said. “We have some payback for LSU this weekend.”