Bulldogs Travel To Florida On Friday Night

STARKVILLE – A top-10 squad in one poll, the No. 12/10 Mississippi State soccer program is bound for Gainesville, Florida, on Friday night to meet a Florida Gators team that is unbeaten in its last four matches.

Two years ago, State claimed its first win in Gainesville in program history, and now the Bulldogs return, looking to win back-to-back matches with the Gators for the first time.

Friday night will mark Florida's fifth SEC match against a ranked team. The Bulldogs still have two more ranked opponents on their schedule, and they are tied with the Gators for the most ranked opponents on their conference schedule in the SEC.

With a win, MSU will secure its fourth consecutive 10-win season. The Bulldogs had just three in the prior 27 years. It would assure State a winning record in conference play for just the fourth time in school history. A win would also see head coach Nick Zimmerman break the program record for wins by a first-year head coach.

Kicking Off

Keepaway Kickball: The Bulldogs have won the time of possession in 10 of 12 matches this year, going 8-1-1 in those games.

Late-Game Goals: The Bulldogs boast an SEC-leading 13 goals in the 70th minute or later, including a conference-best seven in the 80th minute or later.

Award Watch: Ally Perry was one of 35 players named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List this week.

Fast Start: Nick Zimmerman's nine wins lead all first-year head coaches nationally. With another win, he will break the program record for wins by a first-year head coach.

Record Number Of Ranked Opponents: MSU has already played three top-10 opponents, which is tied for the single-season program record. The Bulldogs are 2-1-0 in those games. There are currently two additional ranked teams on State's schedule, and the school record for ranked wins in a single year is three set in each of the past two seasons.

About Florida (5-5-3, 1-2-3 SEC)

Rankings: United Soccer Coaches – NR | TopDrawerSoccer – NR
Head Coach: Samantha Bohon | Record at UF: 17-32-16 (4th Year) | Career Record: 167-76-17 (14th Year)

Series History

Notables

Florida will play its fifth ranked opponent in its first seven conference matches this week. The Gators' lone SEC win came against an unranked Texas squad on Sunday, and in the previous match, Florida tied with a Kentucky squad that was receiving votes. The Gators have been whistled often this season. They average 11.69 fouls per game, which is the second-most in the SEC, and their 19 yellow cards are the most in the conference. Four different players have converted six total penalty kicks. The six PK goals are third-most in the nation. Friday night is the Gators' Senior Night.

Next Up

The Bulldogs return home on Thursday, Oct. 16 to host Vanderbilt. Kickoff against the No. 21 Commodores is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

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Bulldogs Travel To Florida On Friday Night

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Players Mentioned

Ally Perry

Mississippi State University Athletics

Bulldogs Travel To Florida On Friday Night

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ally Perry

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