D’Aloise’s First Goal Leads State To Victory

Thursday, September 30

Starkville

6:00 p.m.

Mississippi State

3-4-3, 1-2-1

Kentucky

6-5-2, 0-4-0

Kentucky

Mississippi St.

D’Aloise’s First Goal Leads State To Victory

September 30, 2021 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Alyssa D'Aloise made her first career goal count. It proved to be the game-winner in a 1-0 match as Mississippi State defeated Kentucky at home to pick up its first SEC win of the year.

In the ninth minute, MSU (3-4-3, 1-2-1 SEC) earned a corner. Ally Perry's service was punched by the keeper, but right at D'Aloise whose knee-high volley sailed over the keepers' arms for the match's only goal.

"That goal was huge," head coach James Armstrong said. "We hadn't scored the first goal in a while and have always had to come from behind. Iowa was the last time we started out with the lead. We're good when we score first, so we challenged the girls to start fast. It was great to get it off a set piece because we trained for that in practice this week. That's also Alyssa's first goal, and she has worked super hard for it. It was a big momentum booster for us for sure. It's important to be able to win when it's not always pretty."

It's a party in #StarkVegas!

💻 https://t.co/Zphwo13V4Q #HailState🐶 | @alyssadaloise pic.twitter.com/GPEadbd6UO
— Mississippi State Soccer (@HailStateSOC) September 30, 2021

Kentucky (6-5-2, 0-4-0 SEC) then went on the attack, taking four shots and earning three corners in the next eight minutes. Maddy Anderson kept the Wildcats off the board on her way to her fourth shutout of the year. Her most impressive save came in the 28^th minute on a one-on-one chance from 10 yards out that she pushed over the crossbar.

Mississippi State would then hold the usually-potent Wildcat offense without a shot for the final 17 minutes of the half.

The Bulldogs had two chances late in the first half. Hannah Johnson's attempt to deflect a cross at short range was saved, and Olivia Simpson earned a corner in the 40^th minute, but MSU couldn't extend its lead.

In the 57^th minute, State got a pair of shots on frame in quick succession. Hailey Farrington-Bentil's initial attempt was saved, and Monigo Karnley put the rebound off the left post. In the 61^st minute, MSU again strung together a pair of chances. Farrington-Bentil saw a shot saved, but MSU quickly repossessed the goalkeeper's punt. That led Onyi Echegini to break through the line and take a shot that rolled just outside the left post.

Late in the match, Kentucky had a final opportunity with 15 minutes to play. After an MSU player went down with the ball at her feet, the Wildcats had a two-on-two rush to the front of the net. Saniya Johnson stepped in to block a shot inside the 6-yard box to preserve the shutout.

The Bulldogs close their current homestand on Oct. 7 when they host No. 13 Auburn. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

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