Mississippi State’s Comeback Falls Short in Overtime

Friday, October 4

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

6-5-1, 1-2-1

Alabama

7-4-1, 2-2-0

Mississippi State

Alabama

Mississippi State’s Comeback Falls Short in Overtime

October 04, 2019 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

by Brian Ogden, Assistant Coordinator/Communications

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Mississippi State battled for 95 minutes, but came up on the wrong end of a 3-2 overtime decision against Alabama on Friday night despite outshooting the Tide, 18-15.

After conceding two goals in the first 20 minutes, the Bulldogs fought their way back into the match to send the game to extra time.

"It's really disappointing to lose the game the way we did against a very good Alabama team," head coach James Armstrong said. "They started faster than us. We just weren't close enough to the ball. We got a great goal to get back in it right at halftime which shows the spirit of the girls. Second half, we had chances to win the game, and we just didn't capitalize."

Alabama scored following a corner kick in the eighth minute. After the service was partially cleared, Abby Bivens sent a shot back in where Reyna Reyes deflected it on target and into the net. The Bulldogs nearly answered just four minutes later, but MaKayla Waldner's run to set up a one-on-one opportunity was called offsides.

In the 18^th minute, the Crimson Tide sent a cross through the box untouched, but Casey Wertz ran it down. She was able to find Brynn Martin just inside the top of the box for a two-goal lead.

In the final seconds of the half, Hailey Zerbel took a throw-in deep in Alabama's half of the field. Zerbel flipped and launched the ball into the box where Olivia Hernandez headed it back to Miranda Carrasco. Carrasco's shot from just outside the box was deflected by a hopeful blocker on its way into the net for her first career goal.

At the break, State held a 9-5 edge in shots and had forced three saves.

The match would remain a 2-1 affair until MSU earned another throw-in in the 74^th minute. Zerbel again flipped on the throw. Alabama's Nealy Martin attempted to head the ball away from Zerbel's intended target but put it up and over the Tide's keeper for an own goal to tie the match.

"I'm proud of the girls and their fight," Armstrong added. "They showed a lot of character again to come from behind."

In overtime, State went on the offensive from the kickoff, but Alabama was able to launch a counter-attack. With the Crimson Tide making a run down the sideline in the 92^nd minute, Gabby English made her biggest save of the night.

The ball was crossed near the penalty spot where an Alabama player directed it on net from point-blank range. English deflected the shot high in the air before catching the rebound to keep MSU in the match.

Alabama would have two more similar chances before Wertz sent in a third cross in the 96^th minute. That ball found the foot of Gabby Duca who put it past English to end the match.

The Bulldogs return to play on Thursday, Oct. 10, when they host Auburn. Kickoff on SEC Network+ is set for 6 p.m. CT.

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSOC."