Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Building Something Special
October 04, 2024 | Soccer
State’s match against No. 1 Arkansas is the latest example of how Bulldogs have built a successful soccer culture.
STARKVILLE – Suiting up in the Maroon and White kit means more than wearing flashy uniforms on the MSU Soccer Field each week.
The Mississippi State soccer crest represents years of hard work, dedication and determination by players, coaches and staff members who came here with one goal in mind. That aspiration was to build a successful fútbol culture in Starkville for years to come.
In his sixth year at the helm for the Bulldogs, head coach James Armstrong has accomplished that and much more.
"One of our roles and responsibilities as a coaching staff here at Mississippi State is to grow the stature of soccer in our community and in the state of Mississippi," Armstrong said. "The more that we can grow the game [and] the more that we can grow exposure [the better], [and] we've got an unbelievable group of young ladies who love representing Mississippi State University."
Armstrong and his staff have undoubtedly reaped the benefits of the strenuous hours spent working to build a foundation of soccer success at MSU. Ahead of State's match against top-ranked Arkansas, the Bulldogs achieved the highest ranking under Armstrong by reaching No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and No. 6 via TopDrawerSoccer. The program's first top-10 ranking in the USC Poll came on Sept. 24 after the Bulldogs recorded two shutout victories against Oklahoma and No. 22 Texas.
One of the most important factors to MSU's success is a tenured staff that has a genuine connection to the talented athletes who sacrifice time and effort to represent the Maroon and White and bring success to the program.
With soccer's ultimate hype-man, masterminds of the game and those who have experience performing under the bright lights, each member of MSU's staff has contributed to the brick-by-brick building of State's culture.
"I am incredibly thankful for my entire coaching staff," Armstrong said. "They do an incredible job. Anybody that's around the program knows that they put together great game plans on both sides of the ball."
As State gears up for a nationally televised matchup against the Razorbacks, establishing the tempo early in the match is something the Bulldogs have been laser-focused on during this week's preparations and game planning.
"It's quite the matchup for sure," Armstrong said. "The challenge for us is that we haven't conceded a goal since Wake Forest which was weeks ago [and] chances are, Arkansas is going to get corners, crosses, get balls into the box and make us uncomfortable. We've just got to know that we've got to score one more than them. It's [important] to make sure the girls understand to stay in the moment. It's two really good programs that will be excited to play one another."
Speaking of defensive efficiency, the Bulldogs rank first in the Southeastern Conference with two goals allowed. Through three conference victories, State has outscored opponents 5-0. MSU also ranks first in the conference with nine shutouts.
But it is not just records on the pitch that Armstrong and the program have shattered. The Bulldog faithful have continuously shown up and showed out as well, breaking attendance records weekly at the MSU Soccer Field. So far this season, the record for the fourth-largest crowd of 1,411 has been set, as well as the sixth-largest crowd in program history with 1,376 cowbell-ringing Bulldogs filling the stands and the West End. Another record crowd is anticipated against the Razorbacks given the magnitude of the matchup.
It can be easy for moments like Friday night to invade heads and distract from the task at hand. Staying sharply focused and headstrong is something that Armstrong has preached to his team during the week's practice and preparations for the Razorbacks.
He has challenged his team to leave the kit better than they found it and continue to give everything they have for the MSU crest that is stitched into the gorgeous Maroon and White uniforms.
There's no doubting the significance of Friday's match for the program. A game like this only comes from putting in a plethora of hours grinding away at your craft.
It's a chance to continue building the soccer culture in Starkville, and Armstrong is hopeful to have a large gathering to be a part of it all.
"You do not have to understand what is going on play-wise, you don't have to understand offsides or strategy, or anything along those lines. This is going to be a dog fight, people," Armstrong said. "The girls are working so hard right now. Give us a chance and bring as many people as you want. It is unique and you can ring your cowbell from the first second to the last second. This is a great opportunity."
The Mississippi State soccer crest represents years of hard work, dedication and determination by players, coaches and staff members who came here with one goal in mind. That aspiration was to build a successful fútbol culture in Starkville for years to come.
In his sixth year at the helm for the Bulldogs, head coach James Armstrong has accomplished that and much more.
"One of our roles and responsibilities as a coaching staff here at Mississippi State is to grow the stature of soccer in our community and in the state of Mississippi," Armstrong said. "The more that we can grow the game [and] the more that we can grow exposure [the better], [and] we've got an unbelievable group of young ladies who love representing Mississippi State University."
Armstrong and his staff have undoubtedly reaped the benefits of the strenuous hours spent working to build a foundation of soccer success at MSU. Ahead of State's match against top-ranked Arkansas, the Bulldogs achieved the highest ranking under Armstrong by reaching No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and No. 6 via TopDrawerSoccer. The program's first top-10 ranking in the USC Poll came on Sept. 24 after the Bulldogs recorded two shutout victories against Oklahoma and No. 22 Texas.
One of the most important factors to MSU's success is a tenured staff that has a genuine connection to the talented athletes who sacrifice time and effort to represent the Maroon and White and bring success to the program.
With soccer's ultimate hype-man, masterminds of the game and those who have experience performing under the bright lights, each member of MSU's staff has contributed to the brick-by-brick building of State's culture.
"I am incredibly thankful for my entire coaching staff," Armstrong said. "They do an incredible job. Anybody that's around the program knows that they put together great game plans on both sides of the ball."
As State gears up for a nationally televised matchup against the Razorbacks, establishing the tempo early in the match is something the Bulldogs have been laser-focused on during this week's preparations and game planning.
"It's quite the matchup for sure," Armstrong said. "The challenge for us is that we haven't conceded a goal since Wake Forest which was weeks ago [and] chances are, Arkansas is going to get corners, crosses, get balls into the box and make us uncomfortable. We've just got to know that we've got to score one more than them. It's [important] to make sure the girls understand to stay in the moment. It's two really good programs that will be excited to play one another."
Speaking of defensive efficiency, the Bulldogs rank first in the Southeastern Conference with two goals allowed. Through three conference victories, State has outscored opponents 5-0. MSU also ranks first in the conference with nine shutouts.
But it is not just records on the pitch that Armstrong and the program have shattered. The Bulldog faithful have continuously shown up and showed out as well, breaking attendance records weekly at the MSU Soccer Field. So far this season, the record for the fourth-largest crowd of 1,411 has been set, as well as the sixth-largest crowd in program history with 1,376 cowbell-ringing Bulldogs filling the stands and the West End. Another record crowd is anticipated against the Razorbacks given the magnitude of the matchup.
It can be easy for moments like Friday night to invade heads and distract from the task at hand. Staying sharply focused and headstrong is something that Armstrong has preached to his team during the week's practice and preparations for the Razorbacks.
He has challenged his team to leave the kit better than they found it and continue to give everything they have for the MSU crest that is stitched into the gorgeous Maroon and White uniforms.
There's no doubting the significance of Friday's match for the program. A game like this only comes from putting in a plethora of hours grinding away at your craft.
It's a chance to continue building the soccer culture in Starkville, and Armstrong is hopeful to have a large gathering to be a part of it all.
"You do not have to understand what is going on play-wise, you don't have to understand offsides or strategy, or anything along those lines. This is going to be a dog fight, people," Armstrong said. "The girls are working so hard right now. Give us a chance and bring as many people as you want. It is unique and you can ring your cowbell from the first second to the last second. This is a great opportunity."
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