MSU Soccer Downs Alabama to Close Spring Slate
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State put in a brilliant team effort last Friday night to cap the 2011 spring slate with a 3-2 win against Alabama in an exhibition match played at the MSU Soccer Field.
"I thought everyone on our team came ready to play. I was very pleased with the way we performed in all areas of the game," Mississippi State head coach Neil Macdonald said. "It's great to see our players benefit from the hard work they have put in this spring, and hopefully we can carry the momentum of this win into the fall."
The Bulldogs struck first in the match, taking a 1-0 lead 20 minutes after the opening whistle. MSU connected a string of stellar passes together, and Lauren Morgan split the Crimson Tide defense with a perfectly-placed ball to Elisabeth Sullivan for the finish.
After Alabama hit the equalizer, Mississippi State answered right back to take a 2-1 lead to the half. Tarah Henderson pressured a pass back to the UA goalkeeper, and she managed to deflect the clearance attempt out to Jasmine Simmons, who nailed a one-timer into the back of the net.
State needed just two minutes in the second half to score the winner. Henderson received a pass, and after making a turn around the defender, sent a cross on the ground in front of the net to Julie Waddle. Waddle, who made a brilliant run from her left-back position, punched the shot past the Alabama goalkeeper to put Mississippi State in front 3-1.
Alabama closed the gap on a free kick that was deflected into the net, but it was unable to get any closer as Bulldog goalkeeper Skylar Rosson made a number of outstanding saves, including several in one-v-one situations.
Mississippi State will host its annual alumni game at 11 a.m. Saturday as part of Super Bulldog Weekend presented by Region's Bank. Admission to all matches at the MSU Soccer Field is free.