Mississippi State
17-1-0, 10-0-0
Tennessee
9-6-4, 3-4-3
Top-Seeded Mississippi State Advances To SEC Tournament Semifinals In Double-Overtime Thriller
November 05, 2024 | Soccer
PENSACOLA, Fla. — In a night that showcased resilience, skill, and the fighting spirit that has defined their record-setting season, top-seeded Mississippi State advanced to the SEC Tournament Semifinals with a thrilling 2-1 double-overtime victory over Tennessee. The win adds to the Bulldogs' remarkable 2024 campaign, marking their 14th straight victory and 11th consecutive SEC win, both program records. Mississippi State now holds an outstanding 17-1-0 overall record and remains undefeated in SEC competition in 2024 at 11-0-0, proving their place among the nation's elite.
It was Aitana Martinez-Montoya who delivered the decisive blow just seconds into the second overtime, securing the Bulldogs' spot in the semifinals with her sixth goal of the season. Martinez-Montoya's golden goal was served up from an absolute beauty of a ball from Hannah Johnson, capping a dramatic battle and adding their names to Mississippi State soccer lore.
The Bulldogs asserted themselves early, creating several scoring chances in the opening minutes. Kennedy Husbands fired State's first shot just three minutes in, narrowly missing the framework. Moments later, Zoe Main and Ally Perry each took shots that kept Tennessee's defense on alert, with Perry firing just wide on two attempts in quick succession.
As the game progressed, both teams traded possession and held their ground defensively, with Tennessee's Cayden Norris and Maddy Anderson each showcasing their prowess in net. State's backline was relentless throughout the first half, repelling Tennessee's advances and controlling the tempo.
With just three minutes remaining in the first half, the Bulldogs broke through. Johnson connected with help from Kara Harris, firing a strike past Norris that caught framework to spin in to put Mississippi State up 1-0 heading into the break.
The Lady Volunteers emerged from the break with renewed intensity, determined to test Mississippi State's nationally-ranked defense. Tennessee increased their attacking pressure, forcing MSU to defend multiple corner kicks and counter-attacks. Anderson, as always, stood tall between the posts, making crucial stops and confidently directing her defense.
The sustained Tennessee pressure eventually paid off in the 75th minute. Following a chaotic sequence in the box, the Volunteers managed to equalize, sending the game into a tense final 15 minutes of regulation tied at 1-1. Both sides continued pressing, but neither could find the net before the whistle, sending the Bulldogs into their first overtime matchup with ties out of the equation in the postseason.
In the first overtime, both teams looked to secure a quick winner with golden goal on the table, but neither could break through in the opening minutes. In the 99th minute, Tennessee was awarded a penalty kick. In the waning moments of the match, Anderson took a deep breath as the ball was placed on the spot and made a brilliant save, diving to deny the Volunteer to keep the Bulldogs alive. Anderson's save sent a jolt into the Pensacola night as both team's readied for a second overtime period.
DENIED!! @MaddyAnd01 keeps us all even and we move on to the second ten-minute OT in this SEC Quarterfinal!#HailState🐶 || 📺 https://t.co/jLwPaZ8sCy pic.twitter.com/C1AdW0wjIw
— Mississippi State Soccer (@HailStateSOC) November 6, 2024
Just fifteen seconds into double overtime, Johnson took control, navigating through Tennessee's defense to fire a skying cross towards net for Aitana Martinez-Montoya. Martinez-Montoya seized her moment, sending a powerful, low shot past the outstretched Norris for the golden goal and a 2-1 MSU victory. The Bulldogs' bench erupted in celebration, sending the Bulldogs to the semifinals for the second-consecutive season.
A goal so good it was 𝙂𝙊𝙇𝘿𝙀𝙉! 🌟
— Mississippi State Soccer (@HailStateSOC) November 6, 2024
Hannah Johnson sends in a beautiful ball and Aitana Martinez-Montoya cashes in just 15 seconds into the second OT! #HailState🐶 || 📺 @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/VX7ef2AWuU
In her last two matchups with the Lady Volunteers, Hannah Johnson has secured three goals and an assist, shining bright for the Bulldogs the last two seasons against a common confernce foe.
The Bulldogs now ready to take on the No. 4 seed in South Carolina in the first of two semifinals matches on Thursday. State will take the 3:30 p.m. CT slot live on the SEC Network.
Quoting Aitana Martinez-Montoya:
On The Bulldog Mentality
AMM: "I think the most important thing for us was to believe, we never still believe in we had each other's backs. This is this Mississippi State. That is what it takes to win in the SEC. It is just one run, just one ball. We are all about striving for greatness. All of us support one another's hard work. Now we are getting ready for the next one."
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."
– HailState.com –
Team Stats
Hannah Johnson (3)
Assisted By: Kara Harris
GOAL by MSU Johnson, Hannah Assist by Harris, Kara.
42:05
0
GOAL by UTK TEAM.
74:01
Aitana Martinez-Montoya (6)
Assisted By: Hannah Johnson
GOAL by MSU Martinez-Montoya, Aitana Assist by Johnson, Hannah.
100:11
