Mississippi State (4-2) scored a trio of goals in each half and limited Jacksonville State (2-4) to a handful of scoring opportunities to defeat the homestanding Gamecocks, 6-2, Friday night at University Field in Jacksonville, Ala. Freshman Jessi Moore cashed in on three assists and joined five other Bulldogs in scoring a goal. Goalkeeper Krystal Werges collected two saves in recording the fourth victory of her collegiate career.
“Tonight was another very good team performance,” Mississippi State head coach Neil McGuire said. “Once again, our overall team defense allowed us many offensive opportunities through relentless pressure.”
Amber Rose got the Bulldogs off the mark quickly, redirecting a free kick from Sam Schwenke into the nets just 1:17 into the game, marking the quickest goal from start in the history of the program. Moore gave MSU a 2-0 lead just less than five and a half minutes later with a rifle shot, then assisted on an Amy Van Zandt goal in the 24th minute (23:51) that gave State a 3-0 lead.
Jacksonville State midfielder and football place kicker Ashley Martin got her team on the board with a goal in the 32nd minute (31:33), but the Gamecocks took a two-goal deficit into the break.
April Berry stretched the MSU lead back out to three goals nearly 20 minutes into the second half (64:25) when her left-footed rip found the post, but careened into the JSU goal. Jessica Kauffman recorded MSU’s fourth goal of the game in the 72nd minute (71:44), but Martin tallied her second goal of the game just four minutes later (75:16) to keep the State lead at two goals.
Freshman Kristin Peterson capped the game, scoring in the 88th tick (87:49) to provide the final.
“It is imperative that we continue to build on lessons we’ve learned and the mistakes that we have made,” McGuire said. “Today was a good day.