Thursday, August 24
Starkville
7:30 p.m.
Mississippi State
vs
Northwestern State
Soccer Welcomes Northwestern State in Highly Anticipated 2023 Home Opener
August 23, 2023 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – The excitement in Starkville is building as the Bulldogs finally return home to compete in front of the Maroon and White faithful. State (1-0-1) is gearing up to face off against Northwestern State (0-1-0) in an electrifying match scheduled for Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. The showdown promises to deliver an unforgettable evening of skill, teamwork, and determination on the pitch as the Bulldogs begin a four-game homestand.
The 2023 campaign commenced with MSU venturing into road contests against Grand Canyon, a triumphant 2-1 victory, and Arizona State, a shot-dominating matchup ending in a 0-0 tie. Speaking about the team's objectives, Head Coach James Armstrong stated, "Returning home unbeaten was always the goal. Now we can look forward to getting back home and playing in front of our home fans."
Adding to the excitement, Maddy Anderson, a stalwart in defense, was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Defensive Player of the Week. Her exceptional performances in goal during the inaugural week of the season marked her third time receiving this esteemed accolade, further solidifying her reputation as a defensive juggernaut in collegiate soccer.
The first-ever matchup between Mississippi State and Northwestern State took place on October 6, 1996, resulting in a victory for State with a score of 2-0. The teams have clashed a total of seven times since then, with Mississippi State emerging victorious in every encounter from October 6, 1996, to September 6, 2009. The home field has proved to be a fortress for the Dawgs, boasting a flawless home record of 5-0 against the Lady Demons. Furthermore, MSU has maintained an unblemished away record of 2-0 in the series. The series between Mississippi State and Northwestern State has been defined by an impressive display of goals. A total of 18 goals have been scored across the matches, averaging 2.57 goals per contest.
Northwestern State is entering the match after an impressive streak of four consecutive seasons concluding within the top two positions of the conference regular season rankings. With a roster that now integrates 15 fresh faces into their squad of 26 players, the team is navigating the challenge of filling the void left by 86.4 percent of their goals and 83.7 percent of their points from the 2022 season. Among the returning goals, Taylor Spitzer, a sophomore standout, holds ownership of four. While their offense showcased remarkable prowess last season, it's been their defense that has stood as a hallmark over the past four years. NSU's defense boasts a talented contingent of defenders, with Caroline Hilliard at the forefront. Hilliard, the 2021 Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, maintained a strong presence in all 19 matches throughout 2022, including 11 starting appearances.
Thursday's home opener is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free paper fan noise maker. Promotions for the entire season can be found at the brand-new Mississippi State Promotions Site or by clicking here.
Bulldog fans not able to attend are highly encouraged to catch the matchup by clicking here to watch on SECN+.
Last Time Out:
The Dawgs defensive line was as hot as the Valley of the Sun. State's defensive line effectively neutralized a high-octane Arizona State club, holding them without a shot for the first 61' of the match. Their efforts contributed significantly to maintaining possession throughout the contest and controlling the pace of the match. For MSU, the commitment to defensive excellence is part of the Bulldog mentality.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's soccer on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateSoc."
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The 2023 campaign commenced with MSU venturing into road contests against Grand Canyon, a triumphant 2-1 victory, and Arizona State, a shot-dominating matchup ending in a 0-0 tie. Speaking about the team's objectives, Head Coach James Armstrong stated, "Returning home unbeaten was always the goal. Now we can look forward to getting back home and playing in front of our home fans."
Adding to the excitement, Maddy Anderson, a stalwart in defense, was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Defensive Player of the Week. Her exceptional performances in goal during the inaugural week of the season marked her third time receiving this esteemed accolade, further solidifying her reputation as a defensive juggernaut in collegiate soccer.
The first-ever matchup between Mississippi State and Northwestern State took place on October 6, 1996, resulting in a victory for State with a score of 2-0. The teams have clashed a total of seven times since then, with Mississippi State emerging victorious in every encounter from October 6, 1996, to September 6, 2009. The home field has proved to be a fortress for the Dawgs, boasting a flawless home record of 5-0 against the Lady Demons. Furthermore, MSU has maintained an unblemished away record of 2-0 in the series. The series between Mississippi State and Northwestern State has been defined by an impressive display of goals. A total of 18 goals have been scored across the matches, averaging 2.57 goals per contest.
Northwestern State is entering the match after an impressive streak of four consecutive seasons concluding within the top two positions of the conference regular season rankings. With a roster that now integrates 15 fresh faces into their squad of 26 players, the team is navigating the challenge of filling the void left by 86.4 percent of their goals and 83.7 percent of their points from the 2022 season. Among the returning goals, Taylor Spitzer, a sophomore standout, holds ownership of four. While their offense showcased remarkable prowess last season, it's been their defense that has stood as a hallmark over the past four years. NSU's defense boasts a talented contingent of defenders, with Caroline Hilliard at the forefront. Hilliard, the 2021 Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, maintained a strong presence in all 19 matches throughout 2022, including 11 starting appearances.
Thursday's home opener is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free paper fan noise maker. Promotions for the entire season can be found at the brand-new Mississippi State Promotions Site or by clicking here.
Bulldog fans not able to attend are highly encouraged to catch the matchup by clicking here to watch on SECN+.
Last Time Out:
The Dawgs defensive line was as hot as the Valley of the Sun. State's defensive line effectively neutralized a high-octane Arizona State club, holding them without a shot for the first 61' of the match. Their efforts contributed significantly to maintaining possession throughout the contest and controlling the pace of the match. For MSU, the commitment to defensive excellence is part of the Bulldog mentality.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's soccer on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateSoc."
Â
– HailState.com –
Players Mentioned
GK
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