Bulldogs Host No. 10 Wake Forest For “Black Out” Match

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State is turning out the lights. The Bulldog soccer program is prepared to host No. 10/17 Wake Forest for its "black out" match on Sunday night. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network.

It will be second meeting between the two squads as the Bulldogs (1-0-0) traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, last August. Wake Forest (3-0-0) won that matchup with a goal in the final five minutes. Only four combined starters return from last year as both teams were very senior-heavy last fall.

Neither team has conceded a goal yet this season. The MSU defense has yet to allow a shot on goal and held Jacksonville State to just two attempts in a 3-0 victory on Thursday.

Senior defender Naila Schoefberger has been an offensive key for State through one match, scoring or assisting on every goal. Meanwhile, Hermann Trophy watch list selection Ally Perry is once again pacing the Bulldogs in shots after setting the school record with 96 attempts last year on her way to tying the program record with five game-winning goals. Perry has recorded at least one point in 12 of her last 23 matches.

The first 200 fans in attendance will receive a black out t-shirt on Sunday evening.

Kicking Off

Oh What A Nai-ght: Naila Schoefberger had a hand in all three goals in Thursday's victory, scoring once and assisting twice for a career-high four points. The defender had just two career points over the previous three years and had never registered an assist.

Offense From The Defense: Two of three goals and three of five assists came from defenders or goalkeepers on Thursday. Sarah Wommack is the first Bulldog keeper to record a point since 2021 and the first with an assist since 2017.

In The Wake Of Last Year: This year's MSU and Wake Forest squads look very different, with only four of the combined 22 starters in the 2024 match returning for their teams. Ally Perry and Alivia Buxton are the only returning MSU starters from that match and both teams each have just four players that came off the bench last year remaining on their squads.

A Win Would: A win would mark Mississippi State's fourth win ever against a top-10 team and first in non-conference play. The previous three came against No. 1 Arkansas (2024), No. 6 Florida (2003) and No. 8 Tennessee (2006). A victory would also make Nick Zimmerman just the third MSU head coach to open his career 2-0-0, joining James Armstrong in 2019 and Neil McGuire in 2000.

About Wake Forest (3-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC)

Rankings: United Soccer Coaches – 10 | TopDrawerSoccer – 17
Head Coach: Tony da Luz | Record at WF: 322-200-63 (29th Year) | Career Record: 368-242-66 (34th Year)

Series History

Notables

The Demon Deacons reached the national championship match last fall and were one of only three teams to defeat Mississippi State in 2024. Both MSU and Wake Forest have not conceded a goal this season. Wake Forest has allowed an average of two shots on goal per match. Offensively, Kylie Maxwell leads the way in points (6), goals (2) and assists (2). She is among the top five in the ACC in all three categories. Ranking No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches poll, the Demon Deacons will ensure that State's streak of facing a top-10 squad extends to six straight seasons.

Next Up

The Bulldogs will hit the road for the first time next week. Mississippi State is scheduled to play at Baylor on Thursday night before heading up I-35 to play at Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon.

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Mississippi State University Athletics

Bulldogs Host No. 10 Wake Forest For “Black Out” Match

Players Mentioned

Alivia Buxton

Ally Perry

Naila Schoefberger

Sarah Wommack

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