After losing three straight games, the Mississippi State Bulldog soccer team erupted for five goals. MSU defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 4-0 and the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders 1-0.
The Bulldogs entered Friday night’s game against Jacksonville State without a goal in their last three games.
As the first half began, the Dawgs controlled the game on both sides of the ball, but were unable to establish organization. MSU had many opportunities to score, but an offsides call and a save by JSU keeper Amanda Stephens negated any chance of an early lead.
“I think the first half there was no intensity and no one was hungry,” said sophomore Heather Amman. “We didn’t really have the edge that we needed.”
The MSU offense exploded for four goals in the second half. Freshman Heidi Ondra started the scoring as she netted a well-placed chip shot over the keeper in the 55th minute. Ondra’s goal snapped a 332- minute scoring drought for the Bulldogs.
Less than five minutes later Karen Sandrik crossed a ball into the box that was headed into the net by freshman midfielder Sara Moore. The goal was Moore’s first as a Bulldog.
The scoring was capped off by sophomore Betty Ann Casey who scored two goals in less than one minute. Casey scored her first on an assist from sophomore Emily Meyers. Her second goal was scored on a penalty kick that was awarded to her after she was fouled in the penalty box by a Jacksonville State defender.
“My teammates just served me the ball and I was in the right place at the right time,” said Casey. “My teammates held up and I just happened to be the person who tapped them in.”
Head coach Neil McGuire said he was very pleased with the offensive performance.
“I think that we’ve been working very hard on getting people’s understanding of runs to be a little bit deeper and that caused us to get more opportunities on goal.”
Middle Tennessee State proved to be a much tougher opponent for the Bulldogs. Both teams entered with similar records and have similar styles of play.
MSU nearly scored in the second minute of the game when the Bulldogs were awarded a free kick. Junior midfielder April Berry’s header was blocked over the goal at the last second by Middle Tennessee keeper Danielle Perreault.
This missed opportunity would prove to be the best scoring chance of the first half. The Bulldogs then looked to their defense to control the game.
MSU’s defensive quartet was dominant while limiting the Blue Raider offense to three shots on goal.
“I think we’re well organized and we’ve been really disciplined in practice about what we need to go in the games,” said senior defender Kristen Benefield. “We’re trying to step it up from last year and get everyone on the same page so we can get it done.”
The MSU defense overwhelmed Middle Tennessee during the second half. However, the Bulldog offense was unable to produce any goals either. MSU had plenty of shots on goal, but they couldn’t find the net.
With less than three minutes left in regulation, however, the Bulldogs were awarded a free kick after a Middle Tennessee foul at midfield. Freshman keeper Luisa Marzotto was called upon to take the kick.
Marzotto booted the ball directly into the middle of the box. Heather Amman flicked the ball over to Betty Ann Casey who in turn headed the ball into the net.
“Before the kick Heather told me, ‘I’m gonna flick it to you and you’re gonna score,’ and it just happened,” said Casey. “It was a beautiful kick by Luisa and Heather flicked it on and I scored it.”
MSU was able to run the remainder of the clock out and collect the 1-0 victory. The Bulldogs are unbeaten at home. The defense has not allowed a goal at home this season.
The Bulldogs will now set their sights on SEC play as they prepare for a four-game road trip beginning next Friday night at Tennessee.
State players believe that a challenging non-conference schedule has prepared them for competing in the 10-game SEC schedule.
“Last week, when we played Iowa State and Nebraska, I think that was a good challenge for us because they are both good teams,” said Kristen Benefield. “I think they prepared us well and they gave us a hint of what this weekend will be like. If we stay strong and continue to put stuff together like our offense did today, then I think we will do well.”