Mississippi State
3-7-3 (1-3-2)
Georgia
3-8-1 (2-4-0)
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | 2 |
MSU Soccer Drops Road Test To Georgia 2-0
October 10, 2015 | Soccer
ATHENS, Ga. – Despite a tough effort in front of a hostile crowd of 1,783 at the Turner Soccer Complex, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-7-3, 1-3-2 SEC) dropped a road conference match to the Georgia Bulldogs (3-8-0, 2-4 SEC), 2-0.
The Maroon and White fell to 12th place in the Southeastern Conference standings after the loss, with five matches remaining in the race for Orange Beach. The top 10 squads will qualify for the SEC Tournament on Nov. 2-8, at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
“We have to move on and put this game behind us,” MSU coach Aaron Gordon said. “Bottom line is that this was a missed opportunity after looking at the conference race and how things are shaking out. It was a hard-fought game and statistically even I thought, neither team got great chances to be honest. Ultimately our concentration level has to be better at the beginning of the game.”
The Red and Black Bulldogs would strike first, after junior forward Marion Crowder knocked in a short-ranged header in the opening minute to put UGA up 1-0. The score was the sixth goal MSU has given up in the first 15 minutes on the year.
“We had a great response I thought after giving up the goal,” Gordon said. “We had some of greatest looks of the game after that, but we didn't put those chances away.”
MSU would outshoot UGA 8-6 following the opening score, with the Maroon and White also earning a 4-2 edge in shots on goal.
After a back and forth affair, UGA would receive a penalty kick opportunity in the 69th minute of the match. Junior Lauren Tanner would connect on the shot to finalize the score and seal the win for UGA, 2-0.
“I thought our effort was better in the second half, but it wasn't where we needed it to be to overcome Georgia,” Gordon said. “We have to get more contributions from our players in the attacking half of the field, we had our corners but we couldn't convert. In this conference if you don't convert those chances, it's hard to win.”
Freshman Carly Mauldin led the Bulldogs in shots (3), while earning one shot on target in her 90-minute performance. Junior Ari Holmes followed with two shots and one on target, while also playing the 90-minutes.
Statistically, MSU lost out in shots (12-13) and shots on goal (4-6), while beating UGA in corners (8-3).
The Maroon and White return home for a Sunday night tilt with the No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats (9-2-3, 3-1-2 SEC). The match will be the annual “Breast Cancer Awareness” game, with fans encouraged to wear pink.
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow “HailStateSOC” on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Team Stats
Marion Crowder (3)
Assisted By: Bria Washington
Header; cross from the corner.
1:53
Lauren Tanner (1)
UGA Lauren Tanner PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
68:42
