Waldner Scores Twice to Lead MSU to 3-0 Win at Stephen F. Austin

Sunday, August 19

Nacogdoches, Texas

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

2-0-0

Stephen F. Austin

1-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Miss. State	2	1	3
Stephen F. Austin	0	0	0

Waldner now boasts seven career game-winning goals, just one shy of the school record.

Waldner Scores Twice to Lead MSU to 3-0 Win at Stephen F. Austin

August 19, 2018 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – MaKayla Waldner likes playing on her birthday. For the third straight year, she scored on her birthday weekend. This time it was a two-goal performance to lead Mississippi State soccer to a 3-0 win at Stephen F. Austin.

Waldner first found the net just 56 seconds into the match. After senior Brooke McKee's header attempt went off the bar, Waldner found the rebound and volleyed it into the back of the net.

The goal was the 10^th-fastest in program history and would prove to be the seventh game-winner of the junior's career. She is now just one game-winning goal shy of the school record.

"Everyone was like, 'It's your birthday, let's win this game so we can celebrate,'" Waldner said. "I think we just really come together as a team to put our chances on goal. I don't want to say I get lucky, but I just find myself there. I'll take what I can get."

In the 32^nd minute, the Bulldogs earned another corner. Carrasco again played it in for Waldner who volleyed it into the net for her third goal of the young season.

"(Waldner) is just super active around the goal and she has good instincts in front of the goal," head coach Tom Anagnost said. "She breaks on balls really well. She's just really good in the box and that's a big part of the game."

McKee wrapped up the scoring in the 53^rd minute with State's third goal of the night. Carrasco played a corner kick into the box for McKee to head home to earn her second assist of the night.

MSU earned nine corners to SFA's two and took 20 shots for the second straight match. Rhylee DeCrane earned State's third consecutive shutout which is the longest streak since 2012 when MSU shut out six straight opponents.

"We're defending in groups and as a team pretty well," Anagnost said. "Our backs are doing a good job of keeping play in front of them, but it's a team effort. It's a good result for us."

The Bulldogs will return to action on Thursday, Aug. 23, when they travel to Memphis. Kickoff against the Tigers is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

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