There have been a number of duos in the sports world. Back in the ’80s it was Joe Montana and Jerry Rice in the NFL and the Stockton and Malone connection in the NBA. NCAA soccer has its own duo now-Jessi Moore and Amy Van Zandt. After 117 minutes of play and the last 20 in the dark, Moore scored a game-winner past Megan Rivera, lifting the Bulldogs to the top of the SEC West.
Auburn came into Friday’s game ranked fourth, according to the NCSAA at 5-3-1, and one of the better defensive teams in the conference. Mississippi State showed to be the better defensive team as they pulled out the 2-1 win in double overtime.
Van Zandt and Moore hooked up for the ninth time this season as Van Zandt scored from the top of the box in the 84th minute to tie the Tigers, 1-1, and send the game to overtime. It was Van Zandt’s ninth goal on the year and Moore’s eleventh assist.
The first overtime passed by with each team getting two shots off, including two by Moore within five seconds of each other in the box. Rivera came up with both saves as she collected four in the game.
The second overtime proved to be more of the same as the defensive battle continued, with both teams remaining physical and focused. In the 118th minute, Moore came through to score the game-winning goal with a turnaround shot at the top of the box. Crystal Christensen got the assist, giving her two on the season. It was Moore’s eighth goal on the year giving her 27 points, breaking the school record for most points in a single season. She also took over first place in the conference in points.
“Crystal just placed a perfect ball right on my foot, and I just tried to turn and shoot it toward the goal and hope that it would have a chance at going in, and it did,” Moore said of the game-winning goal. “I was just so excited because everybody worked so hard, and it’s really good to get it under our belts.”
“Auburn outshot Mississippi State 18-8, but the Bulldogs capitalized on their opportunities when it counted. Tammy Waine of Auburn collected her tenth point with the goal in the 75th minute giving the Tigers the 1-0 lead.
Mississippi State’s defense played well, keeping Auburn in check and limiting them to eight shots on goal. Helping lead the defense was freshman midfielder April Berry. Berry helped defensively by placing herself around the ball a lot, wreaking havoc on Auburn’s offense.
“I just always work hard, and if I put pressure on them it makes them mess up,” she said of her defensive performance. “I try to lead by example, and when I go in it seems to have a domino effect, and everybody starts going hard on every ball.”
It was hard for the players to see in the second overtime as it became dark. The only source of light came from the far side of the field with only two lights.
It was a big win for the soccer program, and it was an exciting win for the team, too. After the goal by Moore, she was unable to be found as she was underneath a pile of happy teammates.
“The game was crazy; it was such an awesome game,” Moore said. “We just had so much fan support and that made a huge difference. We were playing on a high the whole game, and every single girl gave everything they had.”
Coach Neil McGuire said that it was a very big win for the team. He also said that the girls showed today that they are capable of doing great things.
“It shows that the girls are for real,” he said. “To beat a team that’s been nationally ranked and traditionally very good in the SEC, that can only do good things for us.”
Van Zandt said that they played like they wanted it and that they played like they knew how to.
“We are starting to build pride in our program and have even more confidence,” she said.
The game set a new attendance record as the team played before a crowd of 743.