Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Keeping The Foot On The Pedal
October 14, 2024 | Soccer
Bulldogs keep rolling behind big offensive output.
STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State soccer program has earned a reputation for shutting out the opposition with a knack for being physical and gritty defensively on the pitch this season.
But in Sunday night's match at the MSU Soccer Field against Missouri, the Bulldogs' electrifying offensive attack resulted in five different players scoring goals in the dominant victory over the Tigers.
"The good thing about us is we can score from many different spots," sixth-year head coach James Armstrong said following the 5-0 shutout. "It's not just one player, [it's] people that came off the bench [too]. Our game changers do an unbelievable job as well. I was really proud of our attacking effort tonight, and players that came off the [bench] and the game changers kept their spirits high and kept the energy levels up."
State's first goal of the night was recorded via the right foot of senior midfielder Hannah Johnson in the 19' to put the Bulldogs ahead of the Tigers early in the contest.
As soon as the ball struck the back of the net with intense velocity, the second-largest crowd in program history made up of 2,073 screaming members of the Maroon and White faithful erupted in celebration of Johnson's first goal of the season.
Scoring individual goals aids the efforts tremendously but remaining headstrong and connected as one is of the utmost importance when competing against Southeastern Conference competition.
"This team is not trying to get the individual flare," Johnson said. "At the end of the day, [playing as a unit] gets you a 5-0 win. It's a testament to the work everyone's been putting in."
Less than a minute after Johnson rocketed the ball into the back of the net in front of the exuberant student section in the west end, sophomore forward Zoe Main decided it was her turn to make an impact on the pitch for the Bulldogs by adding another goal to the scoreboard.
As senior defender Ruthny Mathurin kicked a sky-high ball into the perfect pocket, Main raced down the field in a flash and scorched defenders in her path before sending a strike into the net to put State up two goals in the first half.
"It felt really good to finally get one into the back of the net," the Missouri, Texas, native said. "Ruthny [Mathurin] played a perfect ball, so all I had to do was place it."
The scoring onslaught was not finished yet, however. Grass on the pitch kicked up behind senior forward Aitana Martinez-Montoya as the Madrid, Spain, native sped past defenders and sent a strike to send the Bulldog fans in attendance into a frenzy in the stands and west end.
For State's fourth goal under the bright lights in Starkville, talented midfielder Ally Perry drilled a free kick to extend the lead over the Tigers.
MSU's exclamation point against the Tigers came off the foot of Maggie Wadsworth with nine minutes remaining in the match. The athletic and experienced midfielder rushed towards the goalkeeper and smoked it past all defenders in her path to secure the 5-0 win.
State's offensive attack led to the program's most goals scored against a conference opponent since State scored five goals against Alabama in 2018.
The fans in the stands, the players on the pitch and the incredible staff that has helped lead the Bulldogs to victory have continuously shattered program records this season. The highest-ranked squad in the history of MSU soccer has and continues to etch its name into history.
The job is not finished yet, however. There is still much fútbol to be played and memories to be made for the Bulldogs this season.
"We love our [supporters]," Johnson said regarding the tremendous crowd on the pitch Sunday night. "We love hearing the cowbells, the chanting and the dog barking. It's everything for us and it keeps us going. It keeps us locked in – 20 minutes left to go [and] they're still here and they're still showing up. It's really great."
But in Sunday night's match at the MSU Soccer Field against Missouri, the Bulldogs' electrifying offensive attack resulted in five different players scoring goals in the dominant victory over the Tigers.
"The good thing about us is we can score from many different spots," sixth-year head coach James Armstrong said following the 5-0 shutout. "It's not just one player, [it's] people that came off the bench [too]. Our game changers do an unbelievable job as well. I was really proud of our attacking effort tonight, and players that came off the [bench] and the game changers kept their spirits high and kept the energy levels up."
State's first goal of the night was recorded via the right foot of senior midfielder Hannah Johnson in the 19' to put the Bulldogs ahead of the Tigers early in the contest.
As soon as the ball struck the back of the net with intense velocity, the second-largest crowd in program history made up of 2,073 screaming members of the Maroon and White faithful erupted in celebration of Johnson's first goal of the season.
Scoring individual goals aids the efforts tremendously but remaining headstrong and connected as one is of the utmost importance when competing against Southeastern Conference competition.
"This team is not trying to get the individual flare," Johnson said. "At the end of the day, [playing as a unit] gets you a 5-0 win. It's a testament to the work everyone's been putting in."
Less than a minute after Johnson rocketed the ball into the back of the net in front of the exuberant student section in the west end, sophomore forward Zoe Main decided it was her turn to make an impact on the pitch for the Bulldogs by adding another goal to the scoreboard.
As senior defender Ruthny Mathurin kicked a sky-high ball into the perfect pocket, Main raced down the field in a flash and scorched defenders in her path before sending a strike into the net to put State up two goals in the first half.
"It felt really good to finally get one into the back of the net," the Missouri, Texas, native said. "Ruthny [Mathurin] played a perfect ball, so all I had to do was place it."
The scoring onslaught was not finished yet, however. Grass on the pitch kicked up behind senior forward Aitana Martinez-Montoya as the Madrid, Spain, native sped past defenders and sent a strike to send the Bulldog fans in attendance into a frenzy in the stands and west end.
For State's fourth goal under the bright lights in Starkville, talented midfielder Ally Perry drilled a free kick to extend the lead over the Tigers.
MSU's exclamation point against the Tigers came off the foot of Maggie Wadsworth with nine minutes remaining in the match. The athletic and experienced midfielder rushed towards the goalkeeper and smoked it past all defenders in her path to secure the 5-0 win.
State's offensive attack led to the program's most goals scored against a conference opponent since State scored five goals against Alabama in 2018.
The fans in the stands, the players on the pitch and the incredible staff that has helped lead the Bulldogs to victory have continuously shattered program records this season. The highest-ranked squad in the history of MSU soccer has and continues to etch its name into history.
The job is not finished yet, however. There is still much fútbol to be played and memories to be made for the Bulldogs this season.
"We love our [supporters]," Johnson said regarding the tremendous crowd on the pitch Sunday night. "We love hearing the cowbells, the chanting and the dog barking. It's everything for us and it keeps us going. It keeps us locked in – 20 minutes left to go [and] they're still here and they're still showing up. It's really great."
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