Alabama (6-5-2, 0-4-2 SEC) soccer suffered its first ever loss in Starkville, Sunday, losing 2-1 to Mississippi State (2-8-3, 1-5 SEC). The Bulldogs Jessica Davis scored in the 69th minute to give MSU its first Southeastern Conference victory of the season.
Davis scored the game-winner for MSU just 4:56 after Alabama’s Kylie Boyd tied the game 1-1. It was Davis’ first goal of the season, and Betty Ann Casey was credited with the assist.
“I was very proud of the way we played today as we put in 90 minutes of hard work,” MacDonald said. “I thought we passed the ball much better than we have all season, and we just played more relaxed today. This win is just what we needed, now we just need to build on it and get a few more wins down the stretch.”
The Lady Dawgs and Tide, having traded fouls for much of the outing, caused a crack in the seam of emotions and play. A foul by Alabama’s Leigh Alexander put MSU in position for what would be its first goal as Bethany Frazier blasted a 30-yard direct kick over the outstretched hands of UA goalkeeper Kara Gudmens for the early lead. Alabama would get its chances to net equalizing goals, but each time Meyers and the MSU defense would nullify the Tide offense.
Mississippi State will continue a four-game home stretch this weekend when it welcomes nationally ranked Florida and SEC East rival South Carolina to the MSU soccer field for a pair of regionally televised contests.
Friday vs. Auburn
Senior Ashley Willis scored two goals and assisted on another two as the Auburn soccer team defeated Mississippi State, 5-0, on Friday night at the MSU soccer field. The two goals were the first two goals of Willis’ career as the Tigers (4-7-1, 3-2-0 SEC) handed the Bulldogs (1-8-3, 0-5-0 SEC) their worst loss in over five seasons.
The Tigers used two breakaway goals in the first half to take a 2-0 halftime lead as both Kristin Stewart and Willis found the back of the net, setting up the Tigers for a big night.
“We got beat by the better team tonight,” MacDonald said. “They have a squad of players who are all technically good. Their passing and movement was first class and that let them pick us apart throughout the course of the game.”
Stewart took control of a deflection off an MSU defender and found herself one-on-one with goalkeeper Emily Meyers.
Stewart returned the favor to Willis a few minutes later as Stewart dribbled down the left side of the field and crossed a long pass to Willis who fired a shot just inside the 18-yard box that hit the left post and ricocheted back into the net at the 26:28 mark.
The five goals were the most scored by the Tigers in a game this season, and the two first-half goals marked the first time that the Tigers have scored two in the first frame of a game this season.
State’s 7 p.m. Friday contest with the Gators is slated for a broadcast on Sun Sports, with the Bulldogs and Gamecocks squaring off on SEC-TV at 1 p.m. Sunday.