State Downs SFA On Waldner Goal

Friday, August 18

Starkville

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

1-0-0

Stephen F. Austin

0-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Stephen F. Austin	0	0	0
Mississippi State	0	1	1

MaKayla Waldner netted the game-winner in the 59th minute to lift MSU to the win

State Downs SFA On Waldner Goal

August 18, 2017 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Following a 1-0 exhibition victory against Memphis on Aug. 11, the Mississippi State soccer team repeated the feat to open the 2017 regular season.

A program-record crowd of 1,349 saw the Bulldogs (1-0) down Stephen F. Austin, 1-0, on MaKayla Waldner's goal in the 59th minute.

"I thought our kids did a good job in the second half, right off the bat, of pushing the pace and tempo of the game and playing with urgency," said Tom Anagnost after his first win as head coach of the Bulldogs. "That resulted in the goal and more chances."

Waldner netted the game-winner on an assist by A.K. Ward to help State to victory.

The Bulldogs outshot the Ladyjacks (0-1) 18 to 6 and did not allow a shot on goal. Catalina Perez worked all 90 minutes in the net to earn her first win of the year.

Mallory Eubanks attempted a game-high and career-high six shots.

In addition to Perez, six other Bulldogs played all 90 minutes—Ward, Khalyn Harmon, Eubanks, Kelly Dorney, Kristen Malebranche and Carly Mauldin.

Anagnost was pleased by the record crowd and noted that he wants that trend to continue moving forward into the season.

"The team and I are so happy and grateful for the turnout and support by everybody in Starkville, the community and the athletic department," Anagnost said. "It was an incredible soccer atmosphere. Our kids fed off of our amazing fans. They were the difference in our game and we want them to come back."

Up Next: Bulldogs Prep For Missouri State

State will next play host to Missouri State at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20, at the MSU Soccer Field. Admission is free and the match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

The Bears return 14 letterwinners from last season's club that finished 5-8-4, including Ashley Coonfield, who led the team with four goals and nine points a year ago. Missouri State was projected to finish seventh in the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll.

Sunday's promotions include Bully's Kid's Club Day and free ice cream for fans in attendance.

Prior to Sunday's game, the Bulldogs will be signing autographs at MSU's annual Fan Day on Saturday. Fan Day festivities run from 4-6 p.m. in the Palmeiro Center, with doors opening at 3:30 p.m.

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSOC." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."