Sunday, August 16
Birmingham, Ala.
7 p.m.
Mississippi State
at
UAB
Bulldogs Travel To Birmingham For First Road Trip Of The Season
August 15, 2026 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State will travel for the first time in the Kevin O'Brien Era on Sunday when the Bulldogs take on UAB in Birmingham, Alabama. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Despite the proximity of the campuses, it will be the first time the two programs have met in 16 years. Due to the extended drought, State has not claimed a victory against the Blazers since the late 1990s.
The Bulldogs (1-0-0) are coming off a 3-0 victory in head coach Kevin O'Brien's debut. State recorded 26 shots, including 12 on target, while holding the Jaguars to just four shots. All three goals were scored by newcomers, and the first came just five minutes into the match off the boot of freshman Kati Anne Shepherd in her collegiate debut.
MSU's defense has not allowed a shot on goal yet this season. Meanwhile, UAB is coming off a 4-2 victory against Georgia State that saw the Blazers concede on a penalty kick and get the benefit of a Panthers own goal.
How Old Is She?: Freshman Kati Anne Shepherd should be a senior in high school this fall after reclassifying to join the program early. At just 17 years and 74 days old, she scored MSU's first goal of 2026 in the first five minutes after starting her collegiate debut.
Dawg Defense: Under goalkeepers coach Kat Stratton, MSU has held opponents to fewer than 10.0 shots per game in four straight seasons. Last time out, State became the first team to hold South Alabama without a shot on goal since MSU did so itself on September 1, 2022, in a scoreless draw.
Shot Selection: State registered 26 shots against South Alabama, with Kati Anne Shepherd and Hailey Johnson recording five shots each.
Top-10 Takedowns: Mississippi State claimed three top-10 wins last year, which was as many as the program had in its entire history prior to 2025.
Head Coach: Lisa Mann | Record at UAB: 21-18-16 (4th Year) | Career Record: 61-33-20 (8th Year)
Despite the proximity of the campuses, it will be the first time the two programs have met in 16 years. Due to the extended drought, State has not claimed a victory against the Blazers since the late 1990s.
The Bulldogs (1-0-0) are coming off a 3-0 victory in head coach Kevin O'Brien's debut. State recorded 26 shots, including 12 on target, while holding the Jaguars to just four shots. All three goals were scored by newcomers, and the first came just five minutes into the match off the boot of freshman Kati Anne Shepherd in her collegiate debut.
MSU's defense has not allowed a shot on goal yet this season. Meanwhile, UAB is coming off a 4-2 victory against Georgia State that saw the Blazers concede on a penalty kick and get the benefit of a Panthers own goal.
Kicking Off
Head Man's History: Head coach Kevin O'Brien claimed his first victory as a Bulldog on Thursday. In his 30-year coaching career, 25 teams he has been part of have posted a winning record.How Old Is She?: Freshman Kati Anne Shepherd should be a senior in high school this fall after reclassifying to join the program early. At just 17 years and 74 days old, she scored MSU's first goal of 2026 in the first five minutes after starting her collegiate debut.
Dawg Defense: Under goalkeepers coach Kat Stratton, MSU has held opponents to fewer than 10.0 shots per game in four straight seasons. Last time out, State became the first team to hold South Alabama without a shot on goal since MSU did so itself on September 1, 2022, in a scoreless draw.
Shot Selection: State registered 26 shots against South Alabama, with Kati Anne Shepherd and Hailey Johnson recording five shots each.
Top-10 Takedowns: Mississippi State claimed three top-10 wins last year, which was as many as the program had in its entire history prior to 2025.
About UAB (1-0-0, 0-0-0 AAC)
Rankings: United Soccer Coaches – NR | TopDrawerSoccer – NRHead Coach: Lisa Mann | Record at UAB: 21-18-16 (4th Year) | Career Record: 61-33-20 (8th Year)
Series History
Overall: 2-4-0 | Current Streak: Lost 4 | Home: 1-2-0 | Away: 1-2-0 | Neutral: 0-0-0 | Last Meeting: Aug. 27, 2010, UAB, 3-0Notables
UAB enters the matchup following a 4-2 victory over Georgia State in its season opener. The Blazers recorded 18 shots, placing five on target, while a dozen of those efforts came in the second half alone. Goalkeeper Leah Persons made four saves. UAB returns 19 players from last season, including seven starters, and brings back its top three goal scorers from a year ago. Lailah Stewart, Avery Berryman and Ava Mills were all selected to the American Conference Preseason Watchlist after earning All-Conference honors last season.Next Up
The Bulldogs return home to kick off a six-match homestand that will span the next three weeks. MSU hosts Arkansas State at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20 with the match airing on SEC Network+.Follow the Bulldogs
For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow on X, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSOC."
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