Anderson Leading On And Off The Pitch
August 05, 2024 | Soccer
Maddy Anderson focused on being so much more than just a goalkeeper for State.
STARKVILLE – After stringing together excellent performances protecting the net for Mississippi State back in 2022, Maddy Anderson faced the adversity of injury as the most crucial part of the season neared.
It's been a couple of years since then, but now as Anderson's last season on the pitch in Starkville nears, challenges like she faced in 2022 and throughout her collegiate career have allowed her to gain a new perspective on life.
"When I went through my hamstring injury, I was really focused on soccer and kind of just obsessed with it, almost in a bad way," Anderson said. "I thought of it as a job [and] I wasn't really getting much joy from it and [I] was focused on what the fans thought of me, what the league thought of me and all the external factors that didn't really matter. Going through my injury really helped me realize that none of that really matters. My faith helped me get through that knowing that soccer doesn't define me. I'm defined by God."
Already a talented player, Anderson's renewed mindset was evident to all in 2023. Her efforts and toughness were on full display at the MSU Soccer Field at every match. The Maroon and White faithful were drawn to Anderson's story and gritty play on the field, but the fans were not the only people to take notice.
Anderson's teammates knew her traits exemplified what it means to be a leader at State. Entering last season, Anderson was unanimously voted as one of the team's well-deserved captains.
As a captain for MSU in 2023, Anderson broke a plethora of records including most time played on the pitch in a single season with 2,092 minutes and most shutouts in a single season with 11 recorded throughout the program's first NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Anderson has played a tremendous role in helping build a foundation for the soccer program's future in Starkville. Her demeanor on and off the pitch depicts what it means to have the Bulldog mentality.
On the doorstep of the 2024 season, Anderson is focused on putting in maximum effort alongside her teammates to leave the program better than she found it.
"We put in a lot of work to build the culture to what it is along with a bunch of other people on the staff," Anderson said. "I'm just kind of teaching the young ones about that culture and how to keep it. We're a family and we love each other."
Anderson has given her all to perform at her best on the pitch to lead the Bulldogs to historic heights. She has played a huge part in the building of a culture known for battling through adversity and making statements as one of the SEC's toughest squads.
The continuous support from members across the MSU athletic department and the fans that fill the stands every game means everything to Anderson heading into her final collegiate matches this season.
"It's been a blessing to be a part of something so special and to meet so many people along the way [and] it's something that's super special," Anderson said. "What I want to focus on this year is leaving it better than we found it, not just on the field but off the field."
