Geneil Newbern’s goal in the 87th minute gave visiting Georgia (8-9-0, 4-4-0 SEC) a one-goal lead and the Red and Black held off a late charge by visiting Mississippi State (5-12-1, 2-5-1) to defeat the Maroon and White, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at the Mississippi State Soccer Field. Amber Rose and Amy Van Zandt each scored a goal for Mississippi State, while three different players recorded assists in the loss. Mississippi State goalkeeper Krystal Werges recorded six saves on 18 Georgia shots, while also picking up an offensive assist. It was the first point scored by a State goalkeeper in program lore. Three different players scored goals for visiting Georgia.
“In the first half, I think we came out in awe of Georgia because of their reputation as a great team,” said Mississippi State head coach Neil McGuire. “In the second half, we threw caution to the wind and showed everybody that we are every bit as good as them. It was a good game and our girls worked very hard. It was tough to see them lose.”
Despite going into the half in a scoreless deadlock, each team had their chances to score on great opportunities in the opening period. Georgia tested Werges early, taking the first four shots of the game, but each time Werges was up to the task and stuffed each Georgia chance. Amy Van Zandt took MSU’s first shot of the game in in the 20th minute, before April Berry nearly got the ‘Dawgs off the mark moments later, but was disappointed as her header caught the near post and careened out of danger. Newbern equalled Berry’s task just more than seven minutes later, firing a shot from the close right wing, but catching a healthy amount of woodwork seconds later.
Georgia needed just two-and-a-half minutes of the second half to break the deadlock as Andrea Valasco redirected a Shannon Murray cross with a header that bounced under a diving Werges in the 48th tick (47:30). Georgia gave itself a two-goal cushion on Nicole Greathead’s score in the 57th minute (56:52) before State kicked itself up a gear to mount the comeback.
A Carolyn Cayard foul set Jessi Moore up on a direct free kick from 30 yards out at the 60:58 mark and, after a perfect service, a header from Amber Rose sent the ball far post and into the Georgia nets. Nearly nine minutes later, Werges’ booming punt was flicked on by Betty Ann Casey to the waiting feet of Amy Van Zandt, who dribbled about 10 yards before completely fooling a charging Ashley Lindley with a skipper to the far post that tied the score at two apiece.
The Bulldogs will return to action this Friday when the Maroon and White suit up to host cross-state nemesis Mississippi (11-3-2, 3-3-1) in a key SEC West battle for both teams. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at the Mississippi State Soccer Field and admission is free. Friday’s game will also be preceded by Senior Day festivities as MSU’s Class of 2002–Lynda Henry, Jessica Kauffman and Jessica Wells–will be honored prior to kickoff.