Sunday, September 18
Starkville
3:50 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Vanderbilt
Bulldogs and Commodores set for ESPNU battle on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.
Bulldogs Host Vanderbilt For Sunday Afternoon Clash
September 17, 2016 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Having won four out of their last five games, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-3-0, 0-1-0 SEC) welcome the Vanderbilt Commodores (4-4-0, 0-1-0 SEC) to the MSU Soccer Field for a Sunday afternoon contest at 2 p.m. CT.
The matchup will be televised live on ESPNU, marking MSU's first appearance on the channel since Oct. 25, 2015. The Bulldogs won that contest, 2-1, against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
"There's a lot of excitement surrounding this Sunday's game and we can't wait to get out on the field," head coach Aaron Gordon said. "I think we are pretty evenly matched with Vanderbilt, so it will be an interesting game. Our team is prepared and ready for the challenge this Sunday, and we look forward to the opportunity of getting a good result."
Last Time Out
The Bulldogs were able to edge out Louisiana-Lafayette, 2-1, as MSU received a go-ahead goal from senior Mila Coner in the 54th minute to earn Senior Day glory. Also crucial to last Sunday's win was the performance of junior Mallory Eubanks. The junior scored the game's first goal and finished the contest with a score and an assist to earn her second three-point outing of the season. The win capped MSU's non-conference slate, as State finished 2016 with a 5-2-0 mark out-of-conference.
Scouting Vanderbilt
The Commodores are on a two-game losing streak coming into Sunday's game. Despite ranking at the bottom of the SEC in shots, Vandy has managed to score the sixth-most goals in the league with 17 scored this season to earn a reputation as an efficient squad. Senior Sasha Gray has scored four of the 17 goals this season, to lead the team. Her six-point effort against Jackson State on Aug. 28 remains her best outing of the season and ranks as the second-most points by a player in the SEC for 2016.
Keys For MSU
In all five wins this year for the Bulldogs, MSU has not allowed more than one goal. Key in Sunday's contest will be the ability of State's defense to slow down the Commodores. Vandy has scored only one goal in their four losses and junior goalie Tanya de Souza will be tasked with keeping that number down if MSU wants to give Vanderbilt its fifth loss of the season.
Up Next
The Maroon and White will kick off its two-game road swing against Ole Miss on Thursday, Sept. 22 as the Bulldogs take on the Rebels for the first time since 2014. Thursday's battle will be televised on SEC Network at 6 p.m. CT.
Additional Notes
How to Watch Sunday's Game
The contest will televised live on ESPNU, with Trey Bender (play-by-play) and Jordan Angeli (analyst) calling the action.
Live Stats
Live stats for the game can be found here or by visiting HailState.com.
Admission
Admission for Sunday's game, as with all Bulldog home games, is free.
Promotions
Fans are encouraged to wear white, as the game will serve as a "White Out." The first 250 fans with a cowbell will receive a special edition "White Out," t-shirt. Sunday Sundaes return as well, with free ice cream available while supplies last. At halftime one skillful fan will have a chance to win $10,000 if they hit the crossbar successfully, while other fans can win a MSU scarf during the "Knockerball" competition.
Social Media:
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The matchup will be televised live on ESPNU, marking MSU's first appearance on the channel since Oct. 25, 2015. The Bulldogs won that contest, 2-1, against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
"There's a lot of excitement surrounding this Sunday's game and we can't wait to get out on the field," head coach Aaron Gordon said. "I think we are pretty evenly matched with Vanderbilt, so it will be an interesting game. Our team is prepared and ready for the challenge this Sunday, and we look forward to the opportunity of getting a good result."
Last Time Out
The Bulldogs were able to edge out Louisiana-Lafayette, 2-1, as MSU received a go-ahead goal from senior Mila Coner in the 54th minute to earn Senior Day glory. Also crucial to last Sunday's win was the performance of junior Mallory Eubanks. The junior scored the game's first goal and finished the contest with a score and an assist to earn her second three-point outing of the season. The win capped MSU's non-conference slate, as State finished 2016 with a 5-2-0 mark out-of-conference.
Scouting Vanderbilt
The Commodores are on a two-game losing streak coming into Sunday's game. Despite ranking at the bottom of the SEC in shots, Vandy has managed to score the sixth-most goals in the league with 17 scored this season to earn a reputation as an efficient squad. Senior Sasha Gray has scored four of the 17 goals this season, to lead the team. Her six-point effort against Jackson State on Aug. 28 remains her best outing of the season and ranks as the second-most points by a player in the SEC for 2016.
Keys For MSU
In all five wins this year for the Bulldogs, MSU has not allowed more than one goal. Key in Sunday's contest will be the ability of State's defense to slow down the Commodores. Vandy has scored only one goal in their four losses and junior goalie Tanya de Souza will be tasked with keeping that number down if MSU wants to give Vanderbilt its fifth loss of the season.
Up Next
The Maroon and White will kick off its two-game road swing against Ole Miss on Thursday, Sept. 22 as the Bulldogs take on the Rebels for the first time since 2014. Thursday's battle will be televised on SEC Network at 6 p.m. CT.
Additional Notes
- MSU has turned in the program's best eight-game stretch since 2012's 7-0-1 start
- With 10 games still to be played, head coach Aaron Gordon has already tied his season-high in wins for a year at five
- Sunday's opponent Vanderbilt is 16-2-0 against MSU all-time, winning four-straight in the series
- The Bulldogs last win against Vanderbilt came in Nashville on Oct. 23, 2011 (2-1)
- The Commodores have won all nine meetings in Starkville
- MSU's last appearance on ESPNU resulted in a 2-1 win against Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 25, 2015
How to Watch Sunday's Game
The contest will televised live on ESPNU, with Trey Bender (play-by-play) and Jordan Angeli (analyst) calling the action.
Live Stats
Live stats for the game can be found here or by visiting HailState.com.
Admission
Admission for Sunday's game, as with all Bulldog home games, is free.
Promotions
Fans are encouraged to wear white, as the game will serve as a "White Out." The first 250 fans with a cowbell will receive a special edition "White Out," t-shirt. Sunday Sundaes return as well, with free ice cream available while supplies last. At halftime one skillful fan will have a chance to win $10,000 if they hit the crossbar successfully, while other fans can win a MSU scarf during the "Knockerball" competition.
Social Media:
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Soccer
F
/ SoccerSOCCER | Ally Perry Postgame Broadcast Interview
Tuesday, November 04
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman Postgame Broadcast Interview
Sunday, November 02
SOCCER | Tatum Borman Postgame Broadcast Interview
Sunday, November 02
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Media Session
Wednesday, October 29