State Soccer Gets Best Of Alumni Squad, 3-1
May 25, 2016 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State soccer team got goals from three different players, then had its shutout spoiled on a late penalty kick, as the current Bulldogs walked away with bragging rights after a 3-1 victory over the alumni team in the first annual Alumni Game Saturday afternoon at the Mississippi State Soccer Field.
"Today's game was a whole lot of fun to watch," said Mississippi State head coach Neil McGuire. "We want to thank all of our fans for their support, as their enthusiasm certainly added to the players experience, as well as the overall atmosphere. The Alums played very well, especially in the first half, and our team had to play hard to pull out this win. It was nice to be able to try different players in several positions, as well as several new formations and offensive strategies.
"We hope to make this an annual tradition and will always welcome former Mississippi State soccer players back with open arms." The Bulldogs got things going right before the halftime whistle when 2001 leading scorer Amy Van Zandt found a breakaway and rounded Stephanie Lyon before finishing with a tap-in in the 45th minute (44:20).
Following a very competitive first half, Saturday's alumni festivities were highlighted by a halftime ceremony in which the 2001 SEC Western Division champions were presented with rings commemorating the first SEC title of any kind for a women's team at Mississippi State. Kelyn McGuire, the infant daughter of head coach Neil McGuire, presented the final ring to MSU senior woman's administrator Samye Johnson.
State pushed its lead out to a pair, 2-0, 15 minutes into the second period (59:43) when Becca Edwards found open space and fired a shot from 40 yards out that found its way over the outstretched fingertips of 2000 second team all-SEC goalkeeper Kirstin Olson. The Maroon and White added an insurance goal just more than 15 minutes later (75:13) when, after outstanding work down the right side of the pitch, Ngum Suh connected on a shot from six yards out to push the lead out to 3-0.
The alumni squad finally lit up the scoreboard with just less than six minutes remaining (84:18) when, after State keeper Krystal Werges was penalized for pushing, 1995 and 1997 second team all-SEC midfielder Meredith Riekert made good on a penalty kick to spoil the shutout.
Mississippi State will again be in action this weekend when the Bulldogs travel to Oxford for the Mississippi 7 v. 7 tournament at the Ole Miss Soccer Complex, before closing out spring workouts against Alabama in Orange Beach, Ala. on April 20. The Bulldogs will open up their 2002 schedule on August 31 when the Maroon and White travels to Waco, Texas, for the Baylor Labor Day Tournament.
