Mississippi State
3-5-0 (0-1-0SEC)
Ole Miss
6-1-2 (1-0-1SEC)
Bulldogs' Valiant Effort Falls Short To Rebels
September 20, 2014 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – In front of a record crowd, Mississippi State put up a spirited fight against in-state rival Ole Miss, but the Bulldogs were unable to overcome an opening-minute goal in a 1-0 setback in Friday's SEC opener at the MSU Soccer Field.
Addie Forbus capitalized on a Bulldog first-minute turnover deep in its own territory and deposited what would be the game winner.
Facing an experienced Ole Miss side, the young Bulldogs continued to battle and create chances that came up short in front of the record crowd of 1,235.
It was second time this season MSU set a new program standard, as Friday's crowd bettered the 1,010 at the season opener versus Iowa State on Aug. 22.
The loss dropped MSU to 3-5 overall, 0-1 in league play, while Ole Miss retained the Magnolia Cup while improving to 6-1-2, 1-0-1 in the SEC.
“They (Ole Miss) played well the entire game, to be fair. We may have gotten a little tired at the end, and it hurt that Shannen [Jainudeen] got hurt and didn't return,” Aaron Gordon said. “We battled and took a real hiccup, turned it into a positive and came out and fought every single minute.
“We had some really good moments in the game, which I'm happy to see. We'll develop and get better; it's just a matter of time. We started seven freshmen, and they took it to an Ole Miss team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago.”
The Rebels outshot the Bulldogs 11-6, with all attempts coming from different Bulldogs. The on-goal chances were much closer, however, as the Rebels took a 5-3 edge.
After Ole Miss put in the eventual winner 53 seconds in, the Bulldogs had a 26th-minute shot from Shelby Jordan and a 29th-minute effort from Morgan Ferrara turned away as the squads combined for only six shots in the opening half.
Mississippi State goalkeeper Tanya de Souza kept the Bulldogs in striking distance in the second half, making all four of her saves over the final 45 minutes.
Despite the stellar defensive effort, the Bulldogs found the going tough offensively, creating just one opportunity on frame in the final stanza.
Kelly McCormick stopped all three chances against her.
MSU will continue its SEC slate next Friday, traveling to Lexington, Ky., to face the Kentucky Wildcats at 6:30 p.m. CST.
Team Stats
Addie Forbus (5)
turnover in back.
0:53
