State Named NCAA Women's Soccer Team of the Week for Week Nine
October 17, 2023 | Soccer
It was a highly anticipated matchup between two squads vying to break the tie for third place in the SEC standings when State (9-3-3, 4-2-1 SEC) traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to face the Kentucky Wildcats (8-1-5, 2-1-4 SEC) on the national stage Sunday. After 90 minutes of intense play, the Bulldogs emerged victorious, handing the Wildcats their first loss of the season, 2-0.
Kentucky had entered the game with an unblemished record, including an undefeated streak to kick off the season. They boasted the best defense in the conference, having allowed only six goals in their first 13 matches. The Bulldogs knew they had a challenging task ahead of them, aiming to be the first team to defeat the Wildcats this season.
From the opening whistle, Mississippi State displayed relentless attacking prowess, registering four shots compared to Kentucky's none in the first half, with three of these forcing the Wildcat's goalkeeper, Marz Josephson, to make saves. Remarkably, the Bulldogs held Kentucky without a shot in the first 45 minutes.
Early in the second half, the Bulldogs continued to pressure the Wildcats, resulting in an own goal that gave Mississippi State a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute after a ball sent into the box by Haley McWhirter deflected off a Kentucky player.
The Wildcats, determined not to go down without a fight, displayed their attacking prowess in the second half, registering six shots, three of which required saves by Mississippi State's goalkeeper, Maddy Anderson.
The match became a back-and-forth battle in the second half, with both teams fiercely contesting possession in a highly intense matchup.
In the 78th minute, Mississippi State extended their lead as Alexis Gutierrez delivered a beautiful pass that found Maggie Wadsworth's foot. Wadsworth skillfully maneuvered past the backline to fire a shot into the net, securing her third goal of the season and giving MSU a 2-0 lead.
State's defense remained resilient throughout the contest, continuing their impressive defensive form in front of Anderson, who secured her eighth shutout of the season and her 22nd in her career with the Maroon and White.
This historic victory marked only the second time Mississippi State had defeated a top-20 opponent on the road in program history. It also signified the first time that State had defeated the Wildcats in consecutive encounters. As a result, Mississippi State now stands tied for second in points within the SEC with 13 and holds the second-longest unbeaten streak in their last four SEC matchups, standing at 3-0-1.
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