Mississippi State
4-5-3 (1-2-1SEC)
#20 Auburn
9-2-1 (3-1-0SEC)
Bulldogs Upset No. 20 Auburn 2-0
October 02, 2011 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Elisabeth Sullivan and Amy Hoover each scored, and Skylar Rosson and the Mississippi State defense turned in a stellar effort as the Bulldogs shocked No. 20 Auburn 2-0 Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field.
Amy Hoover scored the game-winner in the 37th minute off a loose ball. Freshman Shannen Jainudeen sent a ball into the box that Auburn goalkeeper Amy Howard misplayed. Hoover collected the ball at the right post and delivered it into the open net.
State's defense stifled the potent Auburn attack to take the 1-0 advantage to halftime.
Mississippi State needed just 1:51 seconds following the intermission to add the insurance goal. Junior Lauren Morgan fired a perfect service over the Tigers' defense. Sullivan out-raced her defender and beat Howard to the lower-right corner of the net for her second goal of the season.
"Our girls have really pushed themselves hard the last couple of weeks. We felt that we were capable of upsetting someone, and they did it today with a great team performance," Bulldog head coach Neil Macdonald said. "The back four was incredible today, and Lauren Morgan did an outstanding job. To me, she was the best player on the park. Lauren had to matchup against Katy Frierson, one of the best players in the country, and she really kept her in check and helped stifle their attack."
State's defense made the 2-0 lead hold up despite an aggressive effort from Auburn. The Tigers out-shot the Dawgs 24-11, but Rosson and the MSU defense was up to the challenge as the Edmond, Okla., native turned away all eight of Auburn's on-goal opportunities to claim her third shutout of the season and sixth of her career.
"We knew after Friday that we could win today. We came out ready to go in warm-ups, and it carried over to the game," Rosson said. "This win gives us a lot of momentum. We know that we are getting better as a team, and if we can beat them, we are capable of beating anyone we play."
Mississippi State improved to 4-5-3 overall and 1-2-1 in SEC play as it knocked off the Tigers for the first time in nine attempts. The win also marks MSU's first against a ranked foe since the 2007 squad defeated No. 17 Georgia.
Before Sullivan's second-half strike, the Memphis native nearly gave the Dawgs the lead 11 minutes in. Sullivan used her speed to beat the Tigers' back line, but Howard made a diving save, one of two on the afternoon, to knock the ball over the end line.
Seven minutes after Hoover's winner, junior Jasmine Simmons had a 44th-minute attempt stopped by Howard and another opportunity blocked seconds before halftime.
Sullivan's quick strike to begin the second half ignited the MSU defense. Auburn turned up the offensive pressure, but Rosson and the MSU back line were up to the challenge, stopping seven second-half chances by the Tigers.
"This is just the win we needed. It really lifts our spirits heading to Georgia and Tennessee," Sullivan said. "Lauren (Morgan) played a perfect ball, and it was funny because we had just talked about it. She hit the ball over the defenders, and I just ran onto it and scored."
The Bulldogs look to carry the momentum of the weekend back on the road as they travel to Georgia and Tennessee next weekend. The Dawgs challenge UGA at 6 p.m. CST in Athens on Friday before heading to Knoxville on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match against a Lady Vols squad that is ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation.
Auburn 9-2-1 (3-1-0 SEC) vs. Mississippi State 4-5-3 (1-2-1 SEC)
Date: Oct 02, 2011 Attendance: 475
Weather: Sunny, 65 degrees, Wind N 11 mph.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Auburn.............. 0 0 - 0
Mississippi State... 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 36:33 MSU Amy Hoover (unassisted) - Loose Ball in box, Hoover from point blank range
2. 46:51 MSU Elisabeth Sullivan (Lauren Morgan) - Ball over top, beats keeper
Shots: Auburn 24, Mississippi State 11
Saves: Auburn 2 (Amy Howard 2), Mississippi State 8 (Skylar Rosson 8)
Team Stats
Amy Hoover
Loose Ball in box, Hoover from point bla
36:33
Elisabeth Sullivan
Assisted By: Lauren Morgan
Ball over top, beats keeper
46:51
