Bulldogs Battle with Tigers to a Double-Overtime Draw in Season Opener

Friday, September 18

Auburn, Ala.

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

0-0-1, 0-0-1

Auburn

0-0-1, 0-0-1

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Mississippi State	0	1	0	0	1
Auburn	0	1	0	0	1

Niah Johnson PK goal at Auburn 9.18.2020

State outshot the Tigers 19-8 and put up nine attempts on frame.

Bulldogs Battle with Tigers to a Double-Overtime Draw in Season Opener

September 18, 2020 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Johnson’s fifth career penalty kick ties the game in 75th minute.

By: Madelon Allen, Assistant Coordinator/Communications

AUBURN, Ala. – Mississippi State soccer fought tooth and nail with the Auburn Tigers but came away with a 1-1 draw in the first game of the Southeastern Conference soccer season on Friday night.

"The coaching staff is really proud of the fight the team showed and how we grew into the game," head coach James Armstrong said. "It's always tough to play on the road in the SEC, particularly with it being the first game of the season. We were grateful for the opportunity to play and we will look forward to getting back to work tomorrow."

Junior Niah Johnson tied the game on a penalty kick in the 75^th minute. The school record holder is now 5-for-5 from the dot in her career.

Newcomers Hannah Telleysh and KK Pavatt made big impacts for the Bulldogs. Pavatt played 94 minutes in her first collegiate action, while Telleysh took three shots in 97 minutes. Marcella Cash led the way with three shots on goal in 77 minutes off the bench.

State outshot the Tigers, 19-8, and put up nine attempts on frame.

The Bulldogs (0-0-1, 0-0-1 SEC) saw freshmen making moves in their first career games. Two true freshmen started in goal on both sides of the field, with Maddy Anderson as the netminder for the Bulldogs. Anderson recorded her first career save in the 21^st minute on a breakaway effort on a shot from the dot. Freshman Cash got a shot off in the 26^th minute but the Tigers' Maddie Prohaska also made her first career save. The game was scoreless at the half.

Auburn (0-0-1, 0-0-1 SEC) would open the scoring in the second half, with Sydney Richards scoring in the 55^th minute shooting near the post, with Anderson getting a finger on the ball. Johnson would answer with a good penalty kick in the 75^thminute. Cash would have a good look and take a shot in the 86^th minute, but it would go just wide. Just before the end of regulation, Pavatt would serve a good ball off the corner to Monigo Karnley, who got a head to it, but her shot went just left of the goal.

Cash would set off the only shot of the first overtime early on in the 91^st minute. Nothing else would come from that first period. Second overtime would come and go with just one shot, this time from Auburn, giving Anderson her second save off a low ball that headed straight into her arms.

Notables

It was the first competition for Mississippi State in 191 days, with the last game being State at Southern Miss in softball.
The game marked the first SEC soccer event of the season.
Seven newcomers saw playing time, five of which touched the pitch for their first collegiate match.

Up Next for the Bulldogs

State will host Alabama on Friday, Sept. 25 for the first Mississippi State sporting event held on campus for the 2020-21 athletic year. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.