Mississippi State
3-12-0 (0-8-0SEC)
#8 Texas A&M
13-2-1 (7-1-0SEC)
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bulldogs Fall 3-0 To No. 8 Texas A&M
October 19, 2014 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Aaron Gordon's young Mississippi State soccer team turned in a solid defensive effort in the second half Sunday as the Bulldogs fell to a senior-laden No. 8 Texas A&M side 3-0 at the MSU Soccer Field.
All of the Aggies' scoring came in the opening 45 minutes as the Bulldog defense limited the visitors to three on-goal chances in the second half.
“When you're playing a senior-laden team like Texas A&M, you find out where you are in the process. They are a good team, one that has been layered in over time. It's probably a big reason why they are No. 8 in the nation,” Gordon said. “We create chances against every team we play, and that is progress. We defended very well at times, and other times we didn't defend as well as we wanted.
“Overall, our effort was really good for 90 minutes. Today they jumped on us early, but we fought hard the second half. Consistent effort will pay off in the long run for us.”
The Aggies, the SEC's top scoring team, took the lead in the third minute on a Brianna Brinson strike.
MSU freshman Katelyn Watson tried to level the match moments later, but Renee McDermott denied her shot from distance.
After Kelley Monogue made it a 2-0 match with a 20th-minute strike, Bulldog freshman Mallory Eubanks nearly got one back for the hosts.
Payton Gruenewald flicked a DeCrane free kick forward to Eubanks. The Lexington, Ky., freshman tried to punch a shot past McDermott while trying to out-run her defender, but the effort tailed just wide of the left post.
Janae Cousineau provided the final advantage three minutes later as she collected a Shea Groom shot off the post and put the rebound past DeCrane.
The Bulldogs didn't let the deficit deter them as they came out and played with tremendous effort the final 45 minutes.
After Kayleigh Henry had a bending shot saved by TAMU reserve keeper Jordan Day, DeCrane answered on the other end as she tipped a Mikaela Harvey effort over the crossbar.
DeCrane ended the contest with six saves, while Aggie keepers McDermott and Day collected one each.
Starkville native Tiffany Huddleston nearly put the Bulldogs on the board with under a minute to play, but her header off a DeCrane free kick went just outside the near post.
Despite finding itself on the wrong side of the final result, MSU had positives to build on heading into Thursday's road contest at Auburn.
“You don't get experience until you play the games. Each day is experience we are gaining,” Gordon said. “I told the players afterward that you don't see the progress because all you're seeing is wins and losses, but progress is being made.
“I'm not discouraged at all because this league is all about developing a team over time. A team of young freshmen, all they need to do is play hard every day. If they can do that week in and week out then they will be successful players for years to come.”
Kickoff from Auburn is set for 6 p.m., and the match will be televised nationally on the SEC Network.
Team Stats
Brinson, Bianca (6)
Assisted By: Edwards, Leigh
centered in front of goal to left post.
2:56
Monogue, Kelley (10)
Assisted By: Kunz, Annie
give and go middle of field, 22 yards to
19:10
Cousineau, Janae (4)
Assisted By: Groom, Shea
rebound off of shot off post
32:45
