Friday, September 15
Starkville
6:30 p.m.
Mississippi State
vs
Auburn
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Dawgs Set to Welcome Tigers into Starkville to Kick Off SEC Play
September 14, 2023 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – The much-anticipated commencement of Southeastern Conference (SEC) soccer play is upon us, and it promises to be an exhilarating match as the Bulldogs prepare to face off against the Auburn Tigers. This fixture between two very familiar foes is set for a 6:30 pm CT kick-off and will be in front of the Maroon and White faithful.
State enters this match with an impressive track record. Their resolute performance in the 2022 season, coupled with a strong start to 2023, has them primed for success. Under the guidance of Head Coach James Armstrong, the Bulldogs seek to assert their dominance in the SEC. MSU, now 5-1-2, had a non-conference schedule that saw the Bulldogs compete against foes that all came into the matchup unbeaten with the lone loss coming at home versus Iowa (6-0-1) in a 1-nill contest.
The Bulldogs boast an impressive roster with standout players such as Aitana Martinez-Montoya, who leads in goals (3), and Anderson, who maintains a stellar GAA (.51) and holds four shutouts to her name in eight matches this season. Although individual performances are usually the highlight on the pitch, the collective unit of this squad cannot be understated. The Bulldog's strategic defending and cohesive teamwork have disrupted the opponent's rhythm, preventing them from showcasing their usual goal-scoring flair. Mississippi State's defensive discipline has been the cornerstone so far this season, effectively cutting off supply lines to dangerous attacking players. With their collective skill and unwavering determination, the Bulldogs are poised to make their presence felt on the pitch.
Mississippi State's defensive prowess has been on full display in their recent matches, as they have allowed their opponents an average of only 0.50 goals per game. The Bulldogs have faced a total of 52 shots from their adversaries, yielding a mere 6.5 shots per game on average. Impressively, the opposition has struggled to convert these chances, with a shot percentage of just 0.077 against State's resolute defense.
Offensively, State has also found a way to secure the corners this season, earning 39 corner kicks so far this season while opponents have only had 26 opportunities. State has rattled off an impressive 120 shots this season with 57 of them being on target. State is outscoring opponents 11-4 thus far this season.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Karen Hoppa, the Auburn Tigers have established themselves as formidable competitors in collegiate soccer. With an impressive historical record, they arrive with an air of confidence. This fall, Hoppa hits the quarter-century mark with the Tigers as one of 13 active DI coaches with at least 30 years of head coaching experience. Of the 13 coaches, Hoppa is one of two who are women and one of two in the SEC. Both head coaches have a well-established history, with James Armstrong having previously served as an assistant coach under Karen Hoppa. Armstrong's coaching tenure with the Tigers spanned from 2013 to 2018.
The Tigers are determined to rekindle their offensive prowess following a 2022 season characterized by limited scoring opportunities. Auburn has already rediscovered 61% of its goals, 52% of assists, and 56% of shots on goal compared to the previous season.
Auburn has consistently unleashed a flurry of double-digit shots in seven out of their eight matches this season, with no game yielding fewer than 11 scoring opportunities. In terms of offensive output, the Tigers have accumulated a total of 112 shots, with 54 of those (48%) finding their target and forcing the opposing goalkeeper into action.
The stage is set for a match that promises to be a captivating display of skill, strategy, and high-level soccer on the pitch. As the Bulldogs enjoy home-field advantage, they aim to kickstart their SEC campaign 1-0. Friday's match will also be streamed via SEC Network + at 6:30 pm CT.
Head Coach James Armstrong
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On the Atmosphere Friday Night
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"We have a really good Auburn team coming on Friday. It is the start of SEC play on a Friday and is a night game. I cannot think of a better start to the weekend. We would love to get the community here, the student body here, and the Greek life. We cannot wait to see the West End packed out and to hear those cowbells get going. It is a special place when we do that."
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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."
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State enters this match with an impressive track record. Their resolute performance in the 2022 season, coupled with a strong start to 2023, has them primed for success. Under the guidance of Head Coach James Armstrong, the Bulldogs seek to assert their dominance in the SEC. MSU, now 5-1-2, had a non-conference schedule that saw the Bulldogs compete against foes that all came into the matchup unbeaten with the lone loss coming at home versus Iowa (6-0-1) in a 1-nill contest.
The Bulldogs boast an impressive roster with standout players such as Aitana Martinez-Montoya, who leads in goals (3), and Anderson, who maintains a stellar GAA (.51) and holds four shutouts to her name in eight matches this season. Although individual performances are usually the highlight on the pitch, the collective unit of this squad cannot be understated. The Bulldog's strategic defending and cohesive teamwork have disrupted the opponent's rhythm, preventing them from showcasing their usual goal-scoring flair. Mississippi State's defensive discipline has been the cornerstone so far this season, effectively cutting off supply lines to dangerous attacking players. With their collective skill and unwavering determination, the Bulldogs are poised to make their presence felt on the pitch.
Mississippi State's defensive prowess has been on full display in their recent matches, as they have allowed their opponents an average of only 0.50 goals per game. The Bulldogs have faced a total of 52 shots from their adversaries, yielding a mere 6.5 shots per game on average. Impressively, the opposition has struggled to convert these chances, with a shot percentage of just 0.077 against State's resolute defense.
Offensively, State has also found a way to secure the corners this season, earning 39 corner kicks so far this season while opponents have only had 26 opportunities. State has rattled off an impressive 120 shots this season with 57 of them being on target. State is outscoring opponents 11-4 thus far this season.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Karen Hoppa, the Auburn Tigers have established themselves as formidable competitors in collegiate soccer. With an impressive historical record, they arrive with an air of confidence. This fall, Hoppa hits the quarter-century mark with the Tigers as one of 13 active DI coaches with at least 30 years of head coaching experience. Of the 13 coaches, Hoppa is one of two who are women and one of two in the SEC. Both head coaches have a well-established history, with James Armstrong having previously served as an assistant coach under Karen Hoppa. Armstrong's coaching tenure with the Tigers spanned from 2013 to 2018.
The Tigers are determined to rekindle their offensive prowess following a 2022 season characterized by limited scoring opportunities. Auburn has already rediscovered 61% of its goals, 52% of assists, and 56% of shots on goal compared to the previous season.
Auburn has consistently unleashed a flurry of double-digit shots in seven out of their eight matches this season, with no game yielding fewer than 11 scoring opportunities. In terms of offensive output, the Tigers have accumulated a total of 112 shots, with 54 of those (48%) finding their target and forcing the opposing goalkeeper into action.
The stage is set for a match that promises to be a captivating display of skill, strategy, and high-level soccer on the pitch. As the Bulldogs enjoy home-field advantage, they aim to kickstart their SEC campaign 1-0. Friday's match will also be streamed via SEC Network + at 6:30 pm CT.
Head Coach James Armstrong
Â
On the Atmosphere Friday Night
Â
"We have a really good Auburn team coming on Friday. It is the start of SEC play on a Friday and is a night game. I cannot think of a better start to the weekend. We would love to get the community here, the student body here, and the Greek life. We cannot wait to see the West End packed out and to hear those cowbells get going. It is a special place when we do that."
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– HailState.com –
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