Mississippi State
9-7-2 (1-7-2SEC)
Kentucky
5-9-4 (2-7-1SEC)
Morgan, Walsh Goals Lift MSU Soccer To 2-0 Win Over Kentucky On Senior Day
October 25, 2009 | Soccer
• Official Statistics
• Official Statistics (PDF)
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Sophomore Lauren Morgan and junior Kat Walsh each scored second-half goals as the Mississippi State soccer team claimed a 2-0 win over Kentucky on Senior Day at the MSU Soccer Field.
The win improved State to 9-7-2 overall and 1-7-2 in SEC play, and it secured the Bulldogs' first winning season since 2003. The Dawgs used a strong second-half showing to clinch their first league victory since a 1-0 win over No. 17 Georgia on Oct. 19, 2007.
"I'm very proud of this team, especially our seniors," Bulldog head coach Neil Macdonald said. "We challenged them at halftime, and they raised their game in the second half, getting more shots, more opportunities on goal and more corner kicks."
After matching the Wildcats with four shots in the opening half, the Bulldogs dominated possession in the final 45 minutes, firing eight shots and holding UK (5-9-4, 2-7-1 SEC) to just two attempts. The Bulldogs ended the match with a 12-6 advantage in shots attempted, pushing the squad to 7-1-1 this season when out-shooting the opposition.
State put three shots on goal in each half, and senior goalkeeper Taryn Holland stopped all four shots she faced in her final home match.
Holland's four saves improves her to 90 stops on the year and an MSU-record 364 for her career. The Franklin, Tenn., native also moves nine save shy of the SEC career record held by former Georgia goalie Nicole Williams.
Sunday's blank sheet was the fifth for Holland this season and the 11th of her career, giving her sole possession of the school's career record.
With State's defense limiting Kentucky's touches, the Bulldogs clinched the win with Morgan's game-winner in the 56th minute. Freshman Rachel Wannek sent a ball into the 18-yard box, and Kim Pettit played it out to Morgan. The Keller, Texas, native lined a 25-yard shot into the top-left corner of the net for the first goal of her young Bulldog career.
"We ask Lauren all the time to shoot more. She got into great position, and put a great strike into the net," Macdonald said. "Kim Pettit did extremely well under pressure to lay the ball back out to her."
State increased its defensive intensity following the goal, holding the Wildcats to just two shots (one on goal) the final 35 minutes of the match. Kentucky's lone on-goal attempt of the second half came off its only corner kick of the match. Jenna Goblirsch, who netted the equalizer in Kentucky's overtime win last season, headed the tying goal toward the net, but Holland snagged the ball for her final stop of the afternoon.
The strong defensive pressure helped Mississippi State solidify the lead on Walsh's goal with six minutes remaining.
Freshman Madison McKee notched her second assist of the season as she served a perfectly-placed ball into the box. Walsh collected the ball and chipped a shot past UK goalkeeper Laura Burton for her team-leading ninth goal of the season. The score moved the Birmingham, Ala., native into fourth place in MSU single-season history.
Mississippi State looks to continue Sunday's momentum next Friday as it travels to Oxford to battle in-state rival Ole Miss for the Magnolia Cup. Kickoff for the season-ending match is set for 7 p.m.
Kentucky5-9-4 (2-7-1 SEC) vs. Mississippi State9-7-2 (1-7-2 SEC)
Date: Oct 25, 2009 Attendance: 519
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Kentucky............ 0 0 - 0
Mississippi State... 0 2 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 55:16 MSU Lauren Morgan (1) (Rachel Wannek;Kim Pettit) - from 25 yards into the left side of the net.
2. 83:54 MSU Kat Walsh (9) (Madison McKee) - off deflection. Chipped into goal
Shots: Kentucky 6, Mississippi State 12
Saves: Kentucky 4 (Laura Burton 4), Mississippi State 4 (Taryn Holland 4)
Team Stats
Lauren Morgan (1)
Assisted By: Rachel Wannek , Kim Pettit
from 25 yards into the left side of the
55:16
Kat Walsh (9)
Assisted By: Madison McKee
off deflection. Chipped into goal
83:54
