Bulldogs Fall 2-0 On Road At Auburn

Thursday, October 23

Auburn, Ala.

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

3-13-0, 0-9-0SEC

Auburn

9-5-3, 3-3-3SEC

Team	1	2	Final F
Mississippi State	0	0	0
Auburn	1	1	2

Bulldogs Fall 2-0 On Road At Auburn

October 24, 2014 | Soccer

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

AUBURN, Ala. – Mississippi State battled Auburn to the wire on the road, but the young Bulldogs fell short as the host side took a 2-0 win.

The setback dropped Mississippi State to 3-13 overall, 0-9 in the league. Auburn ran its record to 9-5-3 overall, 3-3-3 in the SEC.

Freshman goalkeeper Rhylee DeCrane faced 25 shots, including 13 on-goal chances, but responded with a season-high 11 saves.

Unfortunately for DeCrane and the Bulldogs, they were unable to overcome a 17^th-minute Casie Ramsier.

Despite the goal, MSU coach Aaron Gordon was pleased with his unit's first-half performance.

“Our team competed hard and created chances in the first half. As a result, the game was pretty even,” Gordon said. “The goal Rhylee gave up from second distance was one I'm sure she would love to have back. Other than that we created some chances and played some good soccer.”

After surrendering the early goal, DeCrane stifled any further Auburn attacks and made three saves, including a Hannah Alspach 40^th-minute attempt that she was able to guide over the bar.

The Bulldogs also had their chances, but were unable to get any of their three on-goal chances past Alyse Scott.

State's best opportunity came late in the opening stanza. Morgan Ferrara won possession of the ball and sent a pass wide to Hannah Smith for a shot from the right wing that was stopped by the Tiger keeper.

Scott also turned back opportunities from distance from Mallory Eubanks and Shannen Jainudeen.

The Tigers had an opportunity to go up 2-0 early in the second half, but Jamila Coner made a hustling play to clear the Tori Ball shot short of goal.

Ball capitalized moments later, though, out-running the Bulldog back line and putting a shot from the left wing past DeCrane to the far post.

State found the offensive opportunities more difficult in the second half, generating three shots with just one coming on target.

“In the second half we didn't match the intensity we had in the first half. Credit Auburn because they really cranked it up,” Gordon said. “We battled hard to the very end, which is what we will need to do Sunday when Arkansas comes to Starkville. We have to get some rest, watch some video and get ready for another tough challenge.”

Eubanks nearly converted that chance in the 66^th minute. Ferrara flicked one to the Lexington, Ky., native, but her attempt at the top shelf was stopped short by a leaping Scott.

Scott ended the night with four saves.

Auburn looked for another goal late in the contest, but DeCrane once again came up with a pair of big saves. The first stop bounced out to another Tiger, but the MSU rookie keeper denied the follow-up while she was down on the turf.

Auburn out-shot the Bulldogs 25-8, including a 13-4 edge in on-goal chances. The Tigers also claimed a 10-1 edge in corner kick opportunities.

The Bulldogs wrap the home slate Sunday, hosting Arkansas in a 7 p.m. kickoff on SEC Network +. Prior to the contest, MSU will recognize Jainudeen along with former players Dana Forbes and Amy Hoover and student manager Caroline Kerley.