Mississippi State
1-0
Jackson State
0-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Jackson State | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Bulldog Soccer Opens Season With 2-1 Win Over Jackson State
August 28, 2009 | Soccer
• Official Statistics
• Official Statistics (PDF)
OXFORD, Miss. - Freshmen Rachel Wannek and Monica Alavarado each scored goals as the Mississippi State soccer team opened the 2009 season with a 2-1 win over Jackson State in the opening game of the Ole Miss Nike Invitational in Oxford, Miss.
State (1-0) wasted no time in finding the back of the net for the first time on the year, scoring on a penalty kick just 1:25 into the match. Junior Kat Walsh, making her MSU debut, dribbled into the box and was fouled from behind to earn the penalty kick. Wannek, the Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, native, lined the kick into the net to give State a 1-0 lead.
The Bulldogs, who took a school fourth-most 34 shots, took the 1-0 advantage to halftime after missing out on several scoring opportunities.
After missing on a number of chances in the second half, MSU converted the deciding goal in the 59th minute. Wannek hit a header that deflected off the right post, but the ball went straight to fellow rookie Monica Alvarado who lined the shot into the net for a 2-0 Bulldog lead.
"I thought we played well for our first game of the season," Bulldog head coach Neil Macdonald said. "Our effort was outstanding today, and I was pleased with the way we kept attacking the goal. We have to do a better job converting on opportunities, but overall it was a great win to open the year."
The Bulldogs kept the shutout intact until the 3:05 mark when Lady Tiger forward Shadein Mars slipped behind the MSU defense and cut the lead to 2-1. It was just the third shot on-goal MSU senior goalie Taryn Holland faced on the day. Holland turned back two of those shots, moving her 15 behind the school's career record set by Kirstin Olson from 1998-2000.
Jackson State fell to 0-2 on the year with the loss.
The Bulldogs close out opening weekend on Sunday, challenging Morehead State at 10 a.m.
Team Stats
Rachel Wannek (1)
MSU Rachel Wannek PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
1:36
Monica Alvarado (1)
Assisted By: Rachel Wannek
Scored from 5 yards off shot that hit po
58:04
MARS,Shadein (1)
Assisted By: MULZAC,Elisa
Beat keeper, shot from 8 yards
86:55
