Mississippi State
Northwestern State
No. 18 State To Host Northwestern State In Sunday Soccer Showdown
August 17, 2024 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – State soccer is set to return to the pitch on Sunday, welcoming Northwestern State to the MSU Soccer Field for a 1 PM kickoff. The 18th ranked Bulldogs (1-0-0) aim to build on their winning start to the season after securing a victory over Baylor in Thursday's season opener.
Mississippi State kicked off the 2024 season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Baylor in Starkville. A quick start from Ilana Izquierdo proved to be the difference, as she found the back of the net just 2:28 into the match, capitalizing on a well-executed sequence from Hannah Johnson and Ally Perry. The early goal set the tone for the Bulldogs, who held strong defensively to secure the win.
Head Coach James Armstrong, entering his sixth season, has guided Mississippi State to its highest preseason ranking in program history, currently sitting at #15 in the TopDrawerSoccer rankings. The Dawgs are riding the momentum of back-to-back 10+ win seasons, a first since the mid-'90s, and are eager to continue their upward trajectory.
Goalkeeper Maddy Anderson also made headlines with another shutout performance in Thursday's shutout victory, bringing her career total to 28. Anderson is now tied for 10th all-time in SEC history.
Northwestern State arrives in Starkville with a squad that boasts both experience and talent. The Lady Demons bring back 21 players from their team that advanced to the Southland Conference (SLC) Tournament semifinals last season, with four of those players earning spots on the preseason All-Southland Conference team.
Mississippi State and Northwestern State have a long history on the pitch, dating back to their first meeting in 1996. The Bulldogs have dominated the series, winning the last eight meetings between the two teams.
Sunday will serve as the annual Kid's Day at the MSU Soccer Field. Kids aged 12 and under are encouraged to stay after the match for a free soccer clinic on the State pitch.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and ring loudly to support the Bulldogs in their home opener. For those unable to attend in person, the match will be streamed live via SEC Network+.
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 –
