Frazier Nets First Goal Of Season As Bulldog Soccer Drops 2-1 Heartbreaker To Memphis

Friday, September 19

Starkville

7:00 p.m.

Mississippi State

4-4-0

Memphis

4-2-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Memphis	2	0	2
Mississippi State	0	1	1

Frazier Nets First Goal Of Season As Bulldog Soccer Drops 2-1 Heartbreaker To Memphis

September 19, 2008 | Soccer

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

? Official Statistics
? Official Statistics (PDF)

STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Mississippi State senior Bethany Frazier scored her first goal of the season in the 78th minute, but the Bulldog soccer team was unable to complete the second-half rally, dropping a tough, 2-1 decision to Memphis on a rain-soaked Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.

Head coach Neil Macdonald's squad falls to 4-4 on the year, while the Tigers improve to 4-2 overall. After allowing a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes of the match, MState fought back to out-shoot UM 16-11 in a game which saw a 40-minute thunderstorm delay that soaked the pitch.

Junior goalkeeper Taryn Holland stopped six shots in the opening 45 minutes, but she did not have to halt a shot in the second half thanks to a stellar defensive performance.

State's strong defensive effort sparked the offense, with the Bulldogs collecting nine shots in the second period. MSU cut the 2-0 edge to a single goal as Frazier lined a perfectly-placed pass from junior Hannah Tyler into the left side of the net. The assist was Tyler's first of the season.

The wet field kept the tying goal from crossing the line just five minutes later. On a pass into the middle of the box, Tyler slipped past her defender and directed a shot that appeared to be heading into the goal. The drenched playing surface stopped the ball just shy of the goal line, allowing UM keeper Jordan Boyle the opportunity to make the save.

“We came out slow in the first half,” Macdonald said. “I have to give our kids a lot of credit, though, because after falling down 2-0 we relaxed, rolled up our sleeves and fought our way back into the game. I'm proud of the way we played in the second half because we didn't give up. We worked hard, and that hard work almost paid off tonight.”

State managed seven shots in the opening half, but was unable to capitalize on the opportunities on goal. Just minutes after dropping the first goal of the night, the Dogs answered right back only to see Frazier's shot sail just wide of the post.

In the 20th minute, the Bulldogs had a couple of chances off corner kicks. On the first, Frazier delivered the ball to Heather Buttrey, whose shot was tipped over the cross bar. On the ensuing corner, Frazier found Lauren Morgan, but her shot attempt sailed over the top of the net.

In the 35th minute, sophomore Danielle Kite found some room, but Broyle came up with another big save, one of nine on the night. Just four minutes later, freshman Allison Ouren had another attempt stopped by the Tiger keeper.

State returns to the road Sunday, venturing to Hattiesburg to meet in-state foe Southern Mississippi, who is coached by former Bulldog assistants Scott Ebke and Jennie Altherr. Kickoff from the Marshall Bell Complex is set for 2 p.m.