State Wraps Up Non-Conference Slate At South Alabama Sunday

MOBILE, Ala. – Mississippi State soccer will wrap up its non-conference schedule with a tough road test on Sunday, traveling to Mobile, Alabama, to meet seven-time Sun Belt champions South Alabama at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

It's a series with plenty of history as MSU and South Alabama will meet for the 19th time on Sunday. The Jaguars are the Bulldogs' most-common non-conference opponent and have more meetings in their history than the four most-recent additions to the SEC. Since 2008, the teams have played a regular-season or exhibition match every year except for 2020 and 2011.

State ensured it home non-conference winning streak will live on with a 4-0 victory against Louisiana Tech on Sunday. The Bulldogs have won 10 straight regular-season non-conference matches in Starkville, dating back to Aug. 31, 2023, and they posted a perfect 3-0-0 record in such matches this year.

By contrast, South Alabama will play its fifth home match of the non-conference schedule on Sunday. Only the Jaguars' season-opener at LSU was on the road. That is also the only match South Alabama has lost this year. Sunday's match is in the middle of a seven-game homestand for the Jaguars at The Cage.

A Bulldog win would mark State's 11th victory over South Alabama, which would be tied with Ole Miss for the most against any opponent in program history.

Kicking Off

Familiar Foe: MSU and South Alabama will meet for the 19th time on Sunday, the most of any non-conference opponent. Since 2008, the teams have played a regular-season or exhibition match every year except for 2020 and 2011.

It Could Be Anyone: State's 10 goals have been scored by 10 different players. It's the second-highest number of goal scorers in the SEC, but MSU is the only team in the conference without a multi-goal scorer.

Our Ball: The Bulldogs have had more time of possession in four of five matches this year, winning each of those games.

Welcome To The Club: In MSU's 4-0 win over Louisiana Tech (9/4), every goal and assist came from a player that was not on the 2024 roster. Three of the goals were a player's first career goal.

Kept The Streak Alive: The Bulldogs have not lost a regular-season non-conference match at home since Aug. 31, 2023.

About South Alabama (4-1-0, 0-0-0 SBC)

Rankings: United Soccer Coaches – NR | TopDrawerSoccer – NR
Head Coach: Chris Hennessey | Record at USA: 14-7-3 (2nd Year) | Career Record: 144-38-24 (11th Year)

Series History

Notables

South Alabama will play its fifth consecutive home match on Sunday. The Jaguars are in the middle of a home stretch consisting of seven straight matches at The Cage, and they only played one non-conference match on the road. South Alabama opened the season with a 2-0 loss at LSU. Both the Jaguars and the Bulldogs have played Louisiana Tech this year. South Alabama won, 2-0, while State won, 4-0. South Alabama has used three goalkeepers this year, twice substituting its starter within the first 30 minutes. The defense, however, allows just 6.8 shots per game.

Next Up

The Bulldogs return home next week to open SEC play. Mississippi State will host No. 2 Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. CT in a nationally-televised match on ESPNU. State will honor members of the inaugural 1995 team as it celebrates the program's 30th anniversary and alumni night.

Follow the Bulldogs

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow on X, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSOC."

Mississippi State University Athletics

State Wraps Up Non-Conference Slate At South Alabama Sunday

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