Bulldogs Win Magnolia Cup in Comeback Fashion on Senior Night

Thursday, October 28

Starkville

7:00 p.m.

Mississippi State

5-8-3, 3-6-1

#16 Ole Miss

11-4-3, 6-3-1

Ole Miss

Mississippi St.

Bulldogs Win Magnolia Cup in Comeback Fashion on Senior Night

October 28, 2021 | Soccer

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By: Jen Smith, Assistant Coordinator/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State used two second-half goals to upend in-state rival, No. 16 Ole Miss, on Senior Night to retain possession of the Magnolia Cup.

MSU (5-8-3, 3-6-1 SEC) has now won the rivalry in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1995 and 1996 meetings before the trophy existed. The win also marked the first time the Bulldogs scored three goals against the Rebels (11-4-3, 6-3-1 SEC) since 2016. The victory is also the highest ranked win for the Bulldog soccer program since beating No. 13 South Carolina in 2018.

"It's huge keeping the Magnolia Cup here in Starkville," head coach James Armstrong said. "I thought we came out from the first whistle and got an early goal, which is exactly what we wanted to do. We responded every time they threw something at us."

Less than five minutes into the match, senior forward Hailey Farrington-Bentil scored her third goal of the season to give the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead. Midway through the first half, Ole Miss found the back of the net for the equalizer.

The Rebels opened the second half with a laser shot from distance to take a 2-1 lead that only stood for nine minutes. Senior forward Monigo Karnley tied the match up in the 60^th minute. Senior Miranda Carrasco propelled the ball forward to Onyi Echegini who then sent a through-ball to Karnley, splitting two Rebel defenders inside the box. The goal was Karnley's third of the season.

"It was very fitting that two seniors scored tonight [on Senior Night] and even the ones that didn't score had a tremendous game," Armstrong said. "They had leadership throughout the game, and they really drove the team forward."

With 13 minutes remaining in regulation, State earned a penalty kick. In a keeper-on-keeper showdown, sophomore Maddy Anderson earned her fifth win of the year, striking the game-winner on her first career shot.

"[Anderson] is a big-time player, and big-time players step up in big-time moments," Armstrong said. "If ever you wanted somebody on that ball, it was going to be her, even though she is our goalkeeper. It was great composure, a great finish, and shows everything that she is all about."

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.