Mississippi State
Northwestern State
MSU Soccer Matches Best Start In School History With 2-1 Win Over Northwestern State
September 06, 2009 | Soccer
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NATCHITOCHES, La. - Mississippi State improved to 4-0 and matched the best start in school history as Ashley Hood's goal in the 62nd minute lifted the Bulldog soccer team to a 2-1 win over Northwestern State Sunday afternoon in Natchitoches, La.
Hood's game-winning strike came just six minutes after Northwestern State (5-1) knotted the score at a goal apiece. Lauren Morgan found freshman Monica Alvarado in front of the net, and she knocked it to Hood, who deposited the ball into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
The Bulldog defense stiffened the rest of the way to keep MSU's undefeated streak intact. Senior goalkeeper Taryn Holland ended the match with six saves, pushing her past Kirstin Olson for the school's all-time career record.
"Northwestern State is a very good team. They are fit and they are very skilled with the ball. Our girls had to battle for everything today, and give them credit, they fought hard and never gave up," MSU head coach Neil Macdonald said.
State's offense, which out-shot the Lady Demons 16-13, scored the initial goal for the fourth-straight match. Kat Walsh scored her second goal of the weekend nine minutes in, finding the net on a second-chance effort to put State up 1-0. The goal was the first surrendered by Northwestern State this season.
The home-standing Lady Demons tied the match in the 55th minute on a Meghan Hunter 25-yard shot off the right side, but the Bulldogs answered with Hood's winning score.
State looks to continue its unbeaten streak next weekend as it begins the home portion of the 2009 schedule. The Bulldogs open the weekend against Troy at 7 p.m. Friday before welcoming East Tennessee State for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday. Admission to all home Mississippi State soccer matches is free.
Mississippi State (4-0-0) vs. Northwestern State (5-1-0)
Date: Sep 06, 2009 Attendance: 213
Weather: Sunny 89 wind from NE at 4mph
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Mississippi State... 1 1 - 2
Northwestern State.. 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 9:02 MSU Kat Walsh (2) (unassisted) - 3 yards out from the middle first goal NWLA has allowed on the year
2. 54:34 NWLA Hunter, Meghan (3) (O'Steen, Rachel) - long assist from mid field score from 25 yards out on the right side
3. 61:54 MSU Ashley Hood (1) (Lauren Morgan;Monica Alvarado) - 3 yards out in the middle
Shots: Mississippi State 16, Northwestern State 13
Saves: Mississippi State 6 (Taryn Holland 6), Northwestern State 3 (Strahan, Lindy 3)
