Mississippi State
2-1-0
Western Kentucky
2-0-0
MState Comeback Falls Short; Drops 2-1 Decision To Western Kentucky
September 07, 2007 | Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. ? After falling behind 2-0 to Western Kentucky (2-0-0), Mississippi State (2-1-0) made a valiant come back attempt.
However, it fell short, and the Bulldogs fell to WKU, 2-1 at the MTSU Soccer Tournament.
Mississippi State began the game by keeping the ball in the offensive end, recording three quick shots in the first five minutes, but failing to put the ball in the net. After holding off State's attack, WKU capitalized on its first scoring opportunity. Kristin Cocchiarella sent a header into the right corner off of Alicia Dalby's corner kick for the 1-0 lead jus 5:29 into the game.
Ten minutes later, Katelyn Graben broke up the middle of the field sending a shot on net from 25 yards out, but Hilltopper netminder Meredith Goodson made the save.
At the 25 minute mark, Treena Ferguson took a pass from Graben, and after breaking down the right side, sent a pass from the right box towards the net. But Jessica Davis's attempt went wide, keeping the deficit at one.
The teams traded shots for the rest of the half, but neither could score, and Mississippi State went into halftime down 1-0. The Hilltoppers outshot MSU in the first half, 11-8.
In the second half, Western Kentucky again struck early. Megan Meinke dribbled down the right side towards the net, then passed in front to Mallory Outerbridge who tapped the ball into the net just over three minutes in, giving WKU the 2-0 lead.
Seconds later, State came inches from getting on the board. Bethany Frazier drilled a shot from 40 yards away off the crossbar.
Fives minutes later, Frazier made it count. Ferguson brought the ball up the middle, dumping it off to Frazier. After spinning around to lose the defender, Frazier sent a shot from 35 yards out. Goodson was in position to corral it, but the ball snuck under her into the right corner, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Mississippi State had a golden opportunity to tie the game with 23 minutes remaining. Frazier took a free kick and Goodson came out to make the save. But she overran the ball, and it fell in front of Ferguson, who attempted to put it just under the crossbar. However, Goodson got back and got a hand on it, sending it over the net.
The Bulldogs kept the pressure on, repeatedly peppering the WKU net, but could tie it up.
Mississippi State returns to action this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (CT) when it closes out the tournament against host Middle Tennessee State.
Team Stats
Cocchiarella, Kristi
Assisted By: Dalby, Alicia
GOAL by WKU Cocchiarella, Kristi (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Dalby, Alicia.
5:30
Outerbridge, Mallory
Assisted By: Meinke, Megan
5 yards in front of goal
48:21
Bethany Frazier (1)
Assisted By: Treena Ferguson
from 35 yards
53:55
