Head coach Neil Macdonald and the MSU soccer team are looking to make history by advancing to the SEC Tournament this season. The top eight teams in the conference continue on to the postseason, and the Bulldogs are one of three teams looking to secure the final spot.
A win Thursday night over Kentucky would have assured the Bulldogs’ spot in the SEC Tournament, but the Dogs could not hold off the Cats. Kentucky’s Kelsey Hunyadi scored a pair of goals, helping the Cats pull off a 2-0 win in Starkville.
A tough Kentucky defense forced State’s offense to slow down; the girls had only five shots on goal, including just two in the second half. Macdonald said he had to give credit to Kentucky because they are a good team that came out and played really well.
“I was disappointed in our performance tonight,” Macdonald said. “I didn’t think we had the same toughness we’ve shown the past several matches.”
This loss hurt the Dogs in the SEC standings due to Alabama upsetting Tennessee 1-0 to take sole possession of eighth place. MSU was forced to move on quickly as its remaining two games were must-wins to make the Tournament.
Sunday State traveled to Nashville to take on the 2-7 Vanderbilt Commodores. A loss would end MSU’s hopes of making the tournament, while a win would keep the season alive and force a decisive make-or-break game at Ole Miss.
The Dogs did not waste time in getting on the scoreboard as sophomore forward Elisabeth Sullivan scored early in the game on an assist by junior forward Jasmine Simmons. Shortly after this, Simmons did some scoring of her own, forcing Vanderbilt to change goalkeepers. State took a 2-0 lead going into the half.
Sullivan and Simmons both scored their fifth goal of the year, and Macdonald said it is nice having two players who can score at any moment.
“We scored two really good goals in the first half that gave us a cushion to move forward; they scored goals off of our press,” Macdonald said. “Sullivan’s was just a quick ball through, and she is so good in those situations, running at the defenders and running at the goalkeeper; there’s no one better at a one-versus-one finish than (Elisabeth), and Jasmine’s free kick was just a great shot.”
State’s defense dominated the second half, allowing just one goal and securing the 2-1 victory for the Dogs. Junior goalie Skylar Rosson, who was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and a member of the Soccer America National Team last week, added another impressive performance with seven saves. Rosson said the team just went out there and played the game, and the early goals helped a lot.
“It definitely gives us time to relax and play our game, but you also have to realize that if the team scores one goal on you, they can easily come back,” Rosson said. “You have to play just as hard.”
These crucial games late in the year often cause teams to break under pressure, but the Dogs are staying strong together like they have done all year. Simmons said having several forwards who can score any day is very beneficial to the team.
“We didn’t have a different approach, but in our head we knew we had to win, so we were giving it everything we had,” Simmons said. “We did not really feel any pressure, but we saw it as a good opportunity to win and help us make it to the tournament.”
A tie Sunday between Alabama and Georgia places MSU in a tough position heading into Friday’s matches. If State beats Ole Miss and Alabama beats Auburn, Alabama will make the Tournament. If both teams tie, Alabama still goes. If MSU ties and Alabama loses, it will come down to goal differential.
Although it will not be an easy game, Macdonald and the girls are confident in their ability to come out with a win Friday night.
“The girls are very determined; they are in it together, and they work extremely hard for one another,” Macdonald said. “They had a good opportunity today, and they took it, so now we will have to go up to Ole Miss and show the same determination and commitment up there Friday.”
Categories:
Soccer keeps SEC Tourney hopes alive with win
KRISTEN SPINK
•
October 23, 2011
0
Donate to The Reflector
Your donation will support the student journalists of Mississippi State University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.
More to Discover