Defending The Pitch

STARKVILLE – Whether you watch Mississippi State soccer from the MSU Soccer Field or catch the broadcast from home, it can become a habit at times to remain steadfast in keeping track of the players putting up highlight-worthy shots and scoring electrifying goals.

But if you take a closer look at the pitch, you will witness senior Rylie Combs giving her all as a defender to set the tone for the Bulldogs.

"Defense is my pride and joy, [and] I love it," Combs said. "I love going into those tackles and I feel like we're all about effort, grit and being blue-collar. Defending is [our identity]. I feel like whenever we have a really good tackle, it sets the mood and the vibe for the match. I've always loved [defending]."

Combs' passion for being a physical and gritty player stems from the early days of playing sports with her older siblings. As the youngest of three, Combs had to learn to adapt to playing alongside her siblings who were much older and more experienced participating in sports such as soccer, basketball and even gymnastics.

Her impressive athleticism at a young age allowed Combs to play alongside older kids like her sisters McKenzie and Carlie in all sports that she was involved in growing up in O'Fallon, Missouri.

But Combs' heart resided in the one sport in which she could exert her physical dominance, while also learning from her older sibling.

"I think soccer stuck with me because it was a way I could get physical," Combs said. "My older sister was also playing soccer, and I looked up to her because I would go to her games all the time. Watching her play was probably one of the biggest reasons why I stuck with soccer."

After winning two state championships at St. Dominic High School and displaying a determination and desire to bring out the best in herself and the teammates around her, Combs was offered to come help build a foundation for the future of State's soccer program.

Moving to a new place that is seven hours away from home can be frightening, but after visiting MSU's campus, Combs knew that she belonged in the Maroon and White kit.

"The atmosphere here was very family-oriented and being so far away from home, that was an important aspect in my decision," Combs said. "My family wasn't going to be able to be with me 24/7 and I am a big family person, and I love my parents. How close the girls were and how much the coaches were invested in your growth on and off the field were important. Also, the support from everyone on campus, whether it's your teachers or people that work in our academic building, everyone wants you to be the best you can be."

Since joining the roster as a freshman in 2021, Combs has racked up over 4,500 minutes of play on the pitch, while also scoring two game-winning goals for the Bulldogs. In State's 2-0 victory in the SEC opener against Oklahoma, Combs set a career-high for most minutes played in a single match as the experienced defender played the entirety of the 90-minute contest against the Sooners.

There is still work to be done and accomplishments to achieve, but Combs has been an integral part of the historic heights the program has reached in the last four years as the Bulldogs have become one of the country's top programs.

Like her teammates who are competing in their final collegiate seasons, Combs is determined to leave it all on the pitch for her team one last time this year.

"We just want to push each other to be better on the field and in the next stage in life," Combs said. "That's what is really important about us is we will challenge each other, no matter what, because we all want to succeed. That's what has pushed us to get where we are right now."

The emotions of entering your last year in college can be overwhelming at times. All of the memories made, the moments you will cherish forever and the idea that you might move on from the place you called home the last four years can bring on the tears of both joy and sadness.

Combs and the plethora of other seniors on MSU's roster are eternally blessed for the love and support the Maroon and White faithful show for the athletes who give it their all every week and every season to make everyone in the community proud to be Bulldogs.

"The fans have been unreal," Combs said. "During the game, when sometimes we can't pick ourselves up, we look to the fans because them ringing the cowbells, screaming and supporting us will literally make us all smile. Whenever they're cheering for us, that brings us up and makes us feel better, which makes us all play better. We want to play good for our fans because they take the time to come out, watch and support us. We want to put on a show for them and show them what they do for us we truly appreciate."

Mississippi State University Athletics

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