Mississippi State
3-0-0
South Alabama
1-3-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| USA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Walsh Goal, Stellar Defense Lift MSU Soccer To 1-0 Win Over South Alabama
September 04, 2009 | Soccer
• Official Statistics
• Official Statistics (PDF)
MOBILE, Ala. - Kat Walsh scored the game-winning goal in the 42nd minute, and Mississippi State turned in a stellar defensive effort as the Bulldogs blanked South Alabama 1-0 on a rain-soaked Friday night in Mobile, Ala.
The win improved MSU to 3-0, its best start since the 1997 squad won four-straight matches to open the season.
State out-shot the Jaguars (1-3) 17-4 in the match and held USA to just one shot in the opening half.
"Our team had a great effort tonight," MSU head coach Neil Macdonald said. "Our defense was organized and transitioned well, and as a result, we stayed on their half of the field the majority of the match. The field conditions were very tough tonight, but I was pleased with the way we fought for the entire 90 minutes."
Both teams struggled early on with the difficult playing conditions. State had a few opportunities on goal, but weren't able to convert until Walsh's goal off a corner kick in the 42nd minute.
Freshman Jasmine Simmons, who collected her second assist of the season on the goal, found Walsh on the right side of the net. The Birmingham native then lined the ball past USA goalie Katie Berry for her first goal as a Bulldog.
Senior Taryn Holland made two second-half saves to register her seventh career shutout, a mark that ties for the third-most in school history. The Franklin, Tenn., native now sits just five stops shy of the MSU career record held by Kirstin Olson.
The Bulldogs return to action Sunday, traveling to Natchitoches, La., for a 2 p.m. match against Northwestern State.
Mississippi State (3-0-0) vs. USA (1-3-0)
Date: Sep 04, 2009 Attendance: 320
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Mississippi State... 1 0 - 1
USA................. 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 41:20 MSU Kat Walsh (1) (Jasmine Simmons) - Right side off corner
Shots: Mississippi State 17, USA 4
Saves: Mississippi State 2 (Taryn Holland 2), USA 5 (Berry,Katie 2; Lythjohan,Cassie 3)
Team Stats
Kat Walsh (1)
Assisted By: Jasmine Simmons , Monica Alvarado
Right side off corner
41:20
