Macdonald Pleased with MSU Soccer's Strong Spring Showing
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Mississippi State soccer team recently wrapped up its 2009 spring campaign, and head coach Neil Macdonald was pleased with the performance of his Bulldogs.
Macdonald’s squad not only had to deal with a handful of injuries, but the team entered the slate with a youthful squad that was transitioning to a 4-3-3 alignment.
"Our young team took many positive strides forward during the spring. We implemented a new system of play which moves the program to a more offensive mindset, and I was very pleased with the progression we made" Macdonald said. "Our team grew stronger mentally, and I thought our team-first attitude to training and playing was outstanding."
MSU opened the exhibition schedule against Southern Mississippi and LSU in Mandeville, La.
The Bulldogs played USM to a 0-0 tie to open the slate. State controlled the ball the majority of the match and came up short on a number of goal-scoring opportunities.
The Maroon and White closed out the opening weekend with a 1-1 showing against conference foe LSU. State jumped out to an early lead as LSU transfer Kat Walsh found the back of the net.
The backline, led by Hannah Tyler and Leanna Baldner, put forth a solid defensive effort, with LSU netting the equalizer on a penalty kick in the last two minutes of the match.
The Bulldogs opened the home portion of the schedule under the lights against Samford. Playing short-handed against a talented Samford squad, Macdonald’s squad found itself unable to convert on numerous scoring opportunities. Samford won the match 1-0 as a ball deflected off an MSU player for an own goal.
After dropping a hard-fought 3-0 decision to Ole Miss in Ridgeland, the Bulldogs bounced back and closed the schedule with a 5-2 win over the MSU Alumni during Super Bulldog Weekend presented by Regions Bank.