Soccer Puts Together Record-Breaking Performance Against Alabama

Sunday, October 7

Starkville

1:00 PM

Mississippi State

9-3-1, 2-3-1

Alabama

7-7-1, 1-5-0

Alabama

Mississippi State

Soccer Puts Together Record-Breaking Performance Against Alabama

October 07, 2018 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Brooke McKee Postgame Interview Video Highlights

by Brian Ogden, Assistant Coordinator/Communications

The initial version of this story credited Brooke McKee with three assists, including one on MSU's fourth goal. Upon video review, that assist was changed and credited to Hailey Zerbel. Zerbel is the first MSU player to earn three assists in a conference game.

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State soccer put together its highest-scoring game in conference play in school history on Sunday in a dominant 5-2 win over Alabama. Along the way, junior Hailey Zerbel became the first Bulldog ever to record three assists in an SEC game.

Four different MSU players scored in the match, and Zakirah McGillivary's tally stood as the game-winner, giving her sole possession of the MSU freshman record for game-winners. It also tied junior MaKayla Waldner's single-season record (5) set last year.

"It felt so good to score goals," head coach Tom Anagnost said. "The kids did really good job. I'm very pleased with the performance by everybody. It was a great response from last game."

The five-goal output snapped a three-game shutout streak for Mississippi State. Freshman Niah Johnson got the scoring started in the third minute. Junior Hailey Zerbel used her flip throw to get the ball into the box where McKee headed the ball on frame. An Alabama player stepped in the way on the goal line, but Johnson found the rebound just inside the left post and tapped it home.

In the 25^th minute, a similar picture unfolded. Zerbel's throw again came to McKee, who headed the ball across the box to senior Carly Mauldin. Mauldin headed the ball in for a two-goal lead.

"Brooke was great," Anagnost said. "She has been playing really well for us. She's a very valuable player, and today she was extraordinary."

Just two minutes later, McGillivary added her goal. Senior Courtney Robicheaux crossed the ball to redshirt sophomore Olivia Hernandez at the back post. Hernandez's volley was saved, but continued to trickle toward the goal line where McGillivary finished it off.

Zerbel grabbed her third assist in the 35^th minute, again with her head. Freshman Miranda Carrasco took a corner kick that Zebel headed to Mauldin for a four-goal lead at halftime.

Waldner scored on a loose ball in the box in the 67^th minute after taking a short pass from Johnson. Alabama added two goals in the 68^th and 90^th minutes.

The Bulldogs travel to College Station, Texas on Friday to play No. 6/4 Texas A&M. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

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."