Mississippi State
0-4-0
South Florida
3-0-0
Bulldogs Fall 3-0 to South Florida
August 30, 2015 | Soccer
TAMPA, Fla. – With sweltering heat and the threat of a tropical storm weighing down on the Tampa area Sunday morning, the Mississippi State soccer team left it all out on the field as the Bulldogs showed true grit in defeat to South Florida.
“Our team played extremely hard today, but we could not overcome an experienced tournament team like South Florida,” Coach Aaron Gordon said. “In the second half USF wore us down a bit, but our team fought hard to the very end. For us, we have to put our chances away. We are at a point now where we are creating chances for ourselves and making other teams uncomfortable, but we have to capitalize.”
The Bulldogs (0-4-0) fell behind early to South Florida (3-0-0) in the 11th minute as senior Olivia Chance scored her first of two goals after sneaking a shot by Tanya de Souza.
The Bulldogs and Bulls would play neck and neck for the rest of the half, going into the break with the score 1-0.
MSU had the senior-laden USF squad on the ropes in the opening period, as the Bulldogs outshot the Bulls 6-4, leading to numerous chances around the net. Morgan Mills and McKenzie Adams would have two great looks between the bars, coming close each time.
“I thought we executed the game plan exactly how we wanted to in the first half,” Gordon said. “We wanted to press against South Florida and really limit their comfort level on the ball. I thought our team was outstanding in that area. We had the best looks in the game, but with our team that is the difference between our success and lack of success.”
It wouldn't be until the 55th minute that MSU would allow another goal, as USF's Leticia Skeete placed a perfect shot over the head of de Souza to earn the hard-fought 2-0 lead.
USF's Chance would collect her second goal of the game in the 63rd minute, after a scramble around the box led to a Bulls' score.
USF led in shots (12-7) and shots on goal (7-3), while the two clubs tied in corners (2-2).
MSU returns home for a pair of matches against Nicholls State and Southern Miss, with Friday's match set for a 7 p.m. kick. Both matches will be broadcasted on SEC Network+ via the WatchESPN app.
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow “HailStateSOC” on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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Team Stats
Chance,Olivia (3)
Assisted By: Skeete, Leticia
GOAL by USF Chance,Olivia (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Skeete, Leticia, goal number 3 for season.
11:24
Skeete, Leticia
Assisted By: Chance,Olivia
GOAL by USF Skeete, Leticia, Assist by Chance,Olivia.
55:45
Chance,Olivia (4)
Assisted By: Adams, Grace
GOAL by USF Chance,Olivia, Assist by Adams, Grace, goal number 4 for season.
63:01
