The Mississippi State University soccer team swept the Bulldog Classic tournament this weekend against University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff and Lipscomb University at the MSU soccer field.
After a mixed start on the road to start the season, MSU (3-3) pulled a win against first-time opponent, UAPB Golden Lions (0-3). The Bulldogs had six shots on goal throughout the game but failed to turn any into a goal during regulation time. It was only 8:52 into overtime that Madison McKee scored the game winning goal, assisted by Elisabeth Sullivan.
Sophomore forward Elisabeth Sullivan said making assists is about being in the position to make a scoring pass.
“You just have to open up your body and find that pass. There are different ways you can do it to make it happen,” said Sullivan, “We’ve been working on getting wide enough for the midfielders to pass it.”
Freshman midfielder Dana Forbes said she was excited about more than just her first home win at MSU. Her older sister, Erika Forbes, is a UAPB defender. This was the first time the two have played against each other.
“It was fun,” Dana Forbes said. “There was always that sibling rivalry in the house.”
Forbes said she was thrilled to see her sister, but was also excited to see her family who made the trip from Ontario, Canada to see the sisters go head to head.
“Our whole family came to watch us.” Dana Forbes said. “It was a great way to get everyone together.”
On Sunday, the Bulldogs continued their quest for a sweep when they faced the Lipscomb Lady Bisons (2-4-1), another first-time challenger, during the final game of the Bulldog Classic. The Lady Bisons took an early lead, scoring the first goal of the match in the first 15 minutes of play, and the only goal of the first half.
During the second half, MSU dominated the field taking 10 shots on the goal, while Lipscomb only took four shots. Junior midfielder Jasmine Simmons scored the Bulldogs’ first goal of the game with only 24 seconds remaining in regulation time. Simmons made the shot after a pass by teammate Shannen Jainudeen in the penalty area.
Simmons described scoring the goal to tie the match as an unreal moment for her.
“It was surreal. It felt like it was going in slow motion,” Simmons said.
With a tied score at the end of regulation time, the Bulldogs and Lady Bisons faced off in a sudden death overtime period. Senior forward Tarah Henderson made the game-winning goal during the first two minutes of overtime.  Simmons and Sullivan worked to bring the ball to Henderson for this shot.
Henderson said the team went into overtime knowing it needed to win.
“We knew we had to finish it,” Henderson said. “Our goal is to win every home game.”
Coach Neil Macdonald has confidence that the Bulldogs will continue this successful streak.
“We’ve played great since the start of the year,” said Macdonald. “The wins are great. They build confidence.”
The Bulldogs are on the road again this week, with the rescheduled game against University of Southern Mississippi on Tuesday, before returning home for a game against Troy University.
Macdonald said the team has a strategy for the Bulldogs’ upcoming games.
“We’re going to just keep doing what we’re doing,” Macdonald explained.
Simmons expanded on the strategy, stating they have an example to follow.
“We just need to play like we played the last 45 minutes during the entire game,” Simmons said.
The Bulldogs will open their SEC matches when they face LSU in Baton Rouge on Sept. 23, and Sullivan said she is excited to play conference games.
“These games are practice for our SEC games,” Sullivan said.
Admission to Friday’s game against Troy is free to the public.