Mississippi State
3-4-0
Louisiana Tech
6-1-1
Ferrara, Jainudeen Lead Bulldogs To 2-1 Win Against Louisiana Tech
September 14, 2014 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Goals from Shannen Jainudeen and Morgan Ferrara proved the difference as the Mississippi State soccer team wrapped the pre-SEC slate with a 2-1 win against Louisiana Tech Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field.
Jainudeen netted her team-leading fifth goal of the season in the sixth minute, while Ferrara added the winner, her second goal of the year, in the 57th minute.
Freshman Mallory Eubanks setup both goals, improving her team-best assists tally to four.
The squads combined for just six shots on frame, but it was the Bulldogs who made the most of their chances, converting two of their four opportunities.
State handed Louisiana Tech its first loss of the season, while the Bulldogs improved to 3-4 heading into Friday's home SEC opener against Ole Miss.
“We needed a response to have something to build on going into the start of SEC play,” MSU coach Aaron Gordon said. “We got the win, and there are some real positives that we can build on.
“Shannen's finish was big-time. I can't wait to see it again. She picked her spot and showed how you put it away with the inside of your foot. (Morgan) got up and scored another great header, and that's what we need from our players who know how to score and when to score. They are finally figuring out how to do it at this level. I couldn't be more pleased with our performance today.”
After the teams exchanged possession the opening few minutes, the Bulldogs capitalized on a turnover in their own half to open the scoring. A Kayleigh Henry ball forward found the foot of Eubanks, and she connected with Jainudeen, who fired a shot from distance that curled past Louisiana Tech goalkeeper Kylee Seto and snuck just inside the right post.
Freshman Peyton Shaffer nearly put the Bulldogs ahead 2-0 five minutes later, but the try for her first collegiate goal was unlucky as it beat Seto but deflected off the crossbar.
The Lady Techsters nearly had the equalizer in the 27th minute, but freshman goalie Tanya de Souza, who drew her first start, made her lone save of the afternoon.
Mississippi State's 1-0 halftime advantage was short-lived as three minutes after the second-half kickoff, Kathryn Sloan out-ran her defender and fired a shot that went just over the out-stretched hands of MSU goalkeeper Rhylee DeCrane into the top shelf.
The match didn't remain level for long, however. After Jainudeen had a header on a corner stopped by Seto, the Bulldogs earned a free kick just beyond the 18-yard box.
Eubanks sent the service toward the back post, and Ferrara leaped over the Lady Techster defense and headed home the winner in the 57th minute.
“We wanted to go into the Ole Miss game with a win, and that was our goal going into today,” Ferrara said. “The biggest thing was to compete and show that even though we are starting nine freshmen we are here to play and try to win the SEC.”
Friday's battle for the Magnolia Cup against the Rebels is set for 6 p.m. at the MSU Soccer Field.
The in-state clash will be televised nationally on the SEC Network.
Team Stats
Shannen Jainudeen (5)
Assisted By: Mallory Eubanks , Kayleigh Henry
ball played through defense shot to righ
5:55
SLOAN, Kathryn (4)
Assisted By: BEDDOW, Brittany
long run down right top shelf.
48:11
Morgan Ferrara (2)
Assisted By: Mallory Eubanks
header across goal off free kick
56:29
