Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Magnolia Cup Heroics
October 09, 2023 | Soccer
Ilana Izquierdo delivers for the Dawgs to keep Magnolia Cup in Starkville.
STARKVILLE – As Mississippi State's Ilana Izquierdo prepared to take a penalty kick in the battle for the Magnolia Cup against Ole Miss, a hush fell over the eager crowd in anticipation of the attempt.
That silence did not last long, however. The Maroon and White faithful erupted as Izquierdo rocketed the ball into the back of the net in the 34th minute to put the Bulldogs up 1-0 over its instate rival.
"I was kind of nervous, not going to lie, but I was just happy," Izuierdo said after the win. "I was so happy to get the opportunity to take a penalty kick, and I was happy when we won the game."
The goal that secured MSU the Magnolia Cup for the fourth year in a row was Iquierdo's fourth goal of the year, which ties her for first on the team with teammate Aitana Martinez-Montoya.
Before arriving at MSU, Izquierdo made her presence felt at Southern Miss. In 2021, she was named C-USA's Freshman of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference honors. The junior from Cali, Columbia has contributed greatly to the success of MSU's offensive attack this season.
"It was never a doubt that Ilana would come in and do what she did and just put it in the back of the net," head coach James Armstrong said regarding Izquierdo's game-winner. "[I'm] really proud of that."
The undeniable support for the State soccer program from the fanbase was on full display once again Sunday night as 1,523 people filled the stands and the West End to witness the Bulldogs keep the Magnolia Cup in Starkville. That mark is the second-highest attendance in program history.
"It's beautiful [and] it's the first time I've experienced these [crowds]," Izquierdo said. "We play for them. We really appreciate all the support that these people give to us. We are going to keep playing for them and making them happy."
After securing back-to-back conference victories over Florida and Ole Miss, State earned an important six points in the SEC standings. The Bulldogs will look to carry that momentum through the rest of its conference schedule.
"We said if we could get six points this week the girls have got off Monday [and] Tuesday," Armstrong said. "We don't play again until Sunday, so it's great timing for us. It's rest and recovery and we've got to get better. We've got to improve some things on both sides of the ball, but six points in terms of momentum. I couldn't be prouder and couldn't be happier."
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That silence did not last long, however. The Maroon and White faithful erupted as Izquierdo rocketed the ball into the back of the net in the 34th minute to put the Bulldogs up 1-0 over its instate rival.
"I was kind of nervous, not going to lie, but I was just happy," Izuierdo said after the win. "I was so happy to get the opportunity to take a penalty kick, and I was happy when we won the game."
The goal that secured MSU the Magnolia Cup for the fourth year in a row was Iquierdo's fourth goal of the year, which ties her for first on the team with teammate Aitana Martinez-Montoya.
Before arriving at MSU, Izquierdo made her presence felt at Southern Miss. In 2021, she was named C-USA's Freshman of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference honors. The junior from Cali, Columbia has contributed greatly to the success of MSU's offensive attack this season.
"It was never a doubt that Ilana would come in and do what she did and just put it in the back of the net," head coach James Armstrong said regarding Izquierdo's game-winner. "[I'm] really proud of that."
The undeniable support for the State soccer program from the fanbase was on full display once again Sunday night as 1,523 people filled the stands and the West End to witness the Bulldogs keep the Magnolia Cup in Starkville. That mark is the second-highest attendance in program history.
"It's beautiful [and] it's the first time I've experienced these [crowds]," Izquierdo said. "We play for them. We really appreciate all the support that these people give to us. We are going to keep playing for them and making them happy."
After securing back-to-back conference victories over Florida and Ole Miss, State earned an important six points in the SEC standings. The Bulldogs will look to carry that momentum through the rest of its conference schedule.
"We said if we could get six points this week the girls have got off Monday [and] Tuesday," Armstrong said. "We don't play again until Sunday, so it's great timing for us. It's rest and recovery and we've got to get better. We've got to improve some things on both sides of the ball, but six points in terms of momentum. I couldn't be prouder and couldn't be happier."
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Players Mentioned
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