Thursday, October 19
Starkville
6:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Vanderbilt
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
State Set for Final SEC Matchup on Home Pitch
October 18, 2023 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State (9-3-3, 4-2-1 SEC) is set to host Vanderbilt (8-4-3, 3-4-0 SEC) in their final SEC home match on Thursday. The Bulldogs will be featured on national television for the third straight match as the SEC's flagship network will carry the coverage live from StarkVegas at 6 p.m. CT.
The Bulldogs have enjoyed a successful October so far and one that has been historic for State. The month began with a road trip to Gainesville where MSU captured their first win in the Swamp in program history, 1-0. Three days later, State captured the Magnolia Cup from Ole Miss for the fourth-straight season in front of the second-largest crowd in program history. After a week off, the Bulldogs returned to the pitch for a matchup in Lexington with the unbeaten and then ranked 18th Kentucky Wildcats. State secured yet another win and captured their second win in program history over a top-20 opponent on the road. MSU was named the NCAA Women's Soccer Team of the Week following their win in Lexington.
Mississippi State currently carries the second-longest unbeaten streak in the SEC with 3-0-1 in their last four contests and have climbed into 16th in the RPI this week. The Bulldogs are just one of four SEC squads in the Top-20 this week in RPI.
Standing in goal for the Dawgs is the most accomplished keeper in school history, Maddy Anderson. Anderson secured her 23rd clean sheet in the Maroon and White on Sunday afternoon at Kentucky and currently is tied for first in the SEC in shutouts this season with seven. Anderson also finds herself in several top-five SEC statistical categories including being fourth in saves (40) and GAA (goals allowed average) with 0.68, and third in save percentage (.800). Defensively, the Dawgs are only allowing 7.4 shots per game and have secured eight clean sheets this season. Opponents are averaging only 0.67 goals on this Dawg defense.
One of the standout features of the Bulldog's campaign this year has been their balanced and diverse scoring attack. Nine different players have contributed goals, showcasing the team's depth and versatility. Leading the charge are junior internationals Aitana Martinez-Montoya and Ilana Izquierdo who have a combined eight goals in their first year in the Maroon and White.
On the other side of the pitch, Ella Eggleston was named SEC Freshman of the Week Monday after scoring her fifth goal of the season to secure Vanderbilt's 1-0 victory over Missouri in the Commodores' only match last week. For Vandy, they have been outstanding on their home turf this season as they are unbeaten in Nashville (8-0-2). Junior Rachel Deresky has been instrumental in the Dore's offense
this season as she leads the team in goals (6), assists (4), points (16) and shots (39). Vanderbilt enters this matchup 8-4-3 (3-4-0 SEC) and is looking to gain their first road win of the season as they are currently 0-4-1 in such matches.
Your 9-3-3 Bulldogs will return to the MSU Soccer Field for the final time in the regular season on Thursday as they are set to face off against Vanderbilt. Thursday's match is set for a 6 PM kick and will mark State's third straight nationally televised match as they will be featured on the SEC Network. Fans are encouraged to wear pink for the annual OCH Think Pink game.
Â
Â
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's soccer on X, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateSoc."
Â
The Bulldogs have enjoyed a successful October so far and one that has been historic for State. The month began with a road trip to Gainesville where MSU captured their first win in the Swamp in program history, 1-0. Three days later, State captured the Magnolia Cup from Ole Miss for the fourth-straight season in front of the second-largest crowd in program history. After a week off, the Bulldogs returned to the pitch for a matchup in Lexington with the unbeaten and then ranked 18th Kentucky Wildcats. State secured yet another win and captured their second win in program history over a top-20 opponent on the road. MSU was named the NCAA Women's Soccer Team of the Week following their win in Lexington.
Mississippi State currently carries the second-longest unbeaten streak in the SEC with 3-0-1 in their last four contests and have climbed into 16th in the RPI this week. The Bulldogs are just one of four SEC squads in the Top-20 this week in RPI.
Standing in goal for the Dawgs is the most accomplished keeper in school history, Maddy Anderson. Anderson secured her 23rd clean sheet in the Maroon and White on Sunday afternoon at Kentucky and currently is tied for first in the SEC in shutouts this season with seven. Anderson also finds herself in several top-five SEC statistical categories including being fourth in saves (40) and GAA (goals allowed average) with 0.68, and third in save percentage (.800). Defensively, the Dawgs are only allowing 7.4 shots per game and have secured eight clean sheets this season. Opponents are averaging only 0.67 goals on this Dawg defense.
One of the standout features of the Bulldog's campaign this year has been their balanced and diverse scoring attack. Nine different players have contributed goals, showcasing the team's depth and versatility. Leading the charge are junior internationals Aitana Martinez-Montoya and Ilana Izquierdo who have a combined eight goals in their first year in the Maroon and White.
On the other side of the pitch, Ella Eggleston was named SEC Freshman of the Week Monday after scoring her fifth goal of the season to secure Vanderbilt's 1-0 victory over Missouri in the Commodores' only match last week. For Vandy, they have been outstanding on their home turf this season as they are unbeaten in Nashville (8-0-2). Junior Rachel Deresky has been instrumental in the Dore's offense
this season as she leads the team in goals (6), assists (4), points (16) and shots (39). Vanderbilt enters this matchup 8-4-3 (3-4-0 SEC) and is looking to gain their first road win of the season as they are currently 0-4-1 in such matches.
Your 9-3-3 Bulldogs will return to the MSU Soccer Field for the final time in the regular season on Thursday as they are set to face off against Vanderbilt. Thursday's match is set for a 6 PM kick and will mark State's third straight nationally televised match as they will be featured on the SEC Network. Fans are encouraged to wear pink for the annual OCH Think Pink game.
Â
Â
Â
– HailState.com –
Players Mentioned
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Media Session
Wednesday, October 22
SOCCER | Jenny Harrison Postgame Interview
Sunday, October 19
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Press Conference vs Vanderbilt
Thursday, October 16
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Media Session
Wednesday, October 15