Providing A Spark On The Pitch

STARKVILLE – Do not look away, because if you do, chances are Mississippi State sophomore center forward Zoe Main has jetted down the pitch and rocketed the ball into the back of the net.

That is precisely what happened in Friday night's 31st rendition of the Magnolia Cup showdown between the Bulldogs and the Ole Miss Rebels.

In the first minute of the match, Main bolted past defenders and netted the contest's first goal to put State up 1-0 over the instate rivals from up north, and MSU was on the way to an eventual 2-0 victory. It was the Dawgs' fifth-straight win in the series.

"[That win] was so big for us because the five-peat has never happened," Main said following her incredible performance in the victory. "Our big mission [is] we want to [play] in [the] postseason, but we take it game by game. It was [about] getting the win in this game and going to the next, so it was pretty big for us."

In her home state of Texas, Main was ranked as the 37th-best player coming out of high school. At Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas, Main led her team to the regional quarterfinals in 2021. The following season, the talented forward helped Ridge Point secure a regional championship and a semifinal appearance in the 6A State Championship.

After an impressive senior year, Main decided to come to Starkville. She appeared in 23 games as a freshman while recording one goal and 944 minutes on the pitch in the Maroon and White kit.

In her second year at MSU, the speedy athlete has racked up four goals, two of which came in the rivalry game on Friday night.

You read that right. Main scored her second goal of the contest against the Rebels with three minutes remaining. Just when the Bulldogs were clamoring for the game-ending shot, Main flashed into the box and soared the ball off her foot for the goal.

The outstanding crowd of Maroon and White faithful that made the trip to watch State at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium immediately erupted. With fans chanting her name, Main was joined in celebration by her teammates as MSU took down the Rebels yet again.

An orchestra of Maroon and White cheers between the team and the undeniably dedicated Bulldog fans rang throughout the chilly night in Oxford. The sight for the team was unreal and one they will all remember for years to come.

"It means the world to us. Doing the Maroon and White cheer after the game, that was one of the loudest I've ever heard it," Main said. "It's just unreal, with them being here and people not even being able to hear the [Ole Miss] band over our fans. It's just amazing to have fans that are willing to travel and care so much about the program."

Main has taken a tremendous step forward for the Bulldogs regarding her ability to attack and apply pressure on opposing defenses. She continues to grind away at her skills every single day and has become one of the most prolific scorers in the Southeastern Conference.

Just as important as her incredible athleticism and abilities that allow her to speed past the opposition is the capability to take away the ball and prevent teams from scoring. That is exactly what Main and the Bulldogs have done this season, as the club has recorded 12 shutouts in 2024, six of which came against conference foes.

"Our defense is so solid, and we believe we can take anything," Main said regarding the physicality of the Magnolia Cup showdown's gritty play. "Obviously, it was a very physical game. It's just all about fighting through like we do every game. That's all we had to do."

As important as it was to bring home the Magnolia Cup for the fifth-straight year, the 2-0 victory over Ole Miss as a result of the incredible efforts by Main and company added an all-important three points for MSU in the conference standings.

"It's another three points with three games left in the bag," Armstrong said. "The league is tight. We'll have to regroup and recover for sure and then get ready for Kentucky on Thursday. [It's] our last guaranteed home game, so hopefully the fans will come out in full support, and we'll get ready for that matchup starting Monday."

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Providing A Spark On The Pitch

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