Mississippi State
3-5-1, 1-1-0
Arkansas
4-5, 0-2-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Arkansas | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Eubanks' Late Goal Ends SEC Win Drought For Bulldogs
September 20, 2015 | Soccer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Propelled by sophomore Mallory Eubanks' goal in the 87th minute of Sunday's match, the Mississippi State women's soccer team (3-5-1) took down Arkansas (4-5-0) 2-1 to snap a 23-game losing skid in conference.
MSU's win in Fayetteville was the first in program history for the Maroon and White, while head coach Aaron Gordon earned his first conference win as a Bulldog.
“I've always felt it was a matter of time for this team to snap that conference losing streak,” Gordon said. “In every game we've had this season we've had opportunities to win, but have just been unlucky. Honestly, if I had to wait this long for my first conference win, then it was well worth it because these are kids I've recruited and they're a special group of players.”
With time running out and the score tied 1-1, Eubanks had ice in her veins as she stared down Arkansas goalie Cameron Carter. Without a shred of doubt Eubanks launched a perfect shot past the diving Razorback keeper to down Arkansas.
“I remember training so hard during the week on finishing at the goal,” Eubanks said. “I looked up and saw the opposite side of the goal wide open, so I just went for it and thankfully I finished the shot.”
Freshman Kennadi Carbin set up Eubanks with a pass from the left wing, giving Carbin the first assist of her career.
The Bulldogs and Razorbacks were tied for most of the game, with MSU holding Arkansas scoreless for 89 minutes of the match after giving up a goal in the opening minute off a Katie Moore score.
MSU didn't back down however, coming back strong in the 20th minute to even the score at 1-1 thanks to a Kiley Martens chip shot from three yards out. Junior Ari Holmes began the scoring opportunity with a monster throw in from the side that Eubanks passed to Martens on the left wing.
“In the first half we gave up a really bad goal to start,” Gordon said. “You have to credit our team because we responded right away. I kept telling them that if we could just keep battling and stay physical with Arkansas then eventually there would be enough soccer on the field for us to find.”
It would seem like the Bulldogs and Razorbacks were destined for overtime with the clock ticking down in the final moments of the second half, but Eubanks buried her second goal of the season with only minutes to spare.
The sophomore's game-winning goal was her second score of the season, while Martens first-half goal was her team-leading fourth of the year.
Before Sunday's game the Bulldogs were only 2-18 all-time against the Razorbacks, with their last win coming in 2002 (3-0).
The Maroon and White returns to the home pitch next Friday as it hosts the Tennessee Volunteers at 7 p.m., from the MSU Soccer Field.
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow “HailStateSOC” on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Team Stats
Katie Moore (1)
13 steals pass from defender outside of
0:11
Kiley Martens (4)
Assisted By: Ariana Holmes , Mallory Eubanks
Long throw in by 24 to back post, finish
20:57
Mallory Eubanks (2)
Assisted By: Kennadi Carbin
Give and go, 7 passes to 5 and back to 7
86:05
