State Soccer Hosts Memphis In Spring Exhibition Wednesday
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State Soccer team will host its first home exhibition contest of the Spring season Wednesday evening as the Bulldogs suit up to face regional rival Memphis in a 6:30 p.m. contest at the Mississippi State Soccer Field.
The Bulldogs and Tigers will meet for the first time since the Maroons took a 3-1 decision at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex on Aug. 31, 2003, in the season opener for both squads. Mississippi State went on to finish its 2003 season with a 9-8-3 record, while the Tigers closed out their 2003 season with a 5-10-3 clip. Both teams are having productive offseasons heading into Wednesday's meeting.
"Being that this is our non traditional season, with both teams trying new ideas and systems of play, makes for a fun game," said Mississippi State head coach Neil McGuire. "Our players have been working very hard on developing certain aspects of their game and I am interested how they execute in match play. We have worked on a much more attacking style of play and I hope to see it showing dividends against Memphis."
During the Spring exhibition season, collegiate squads play a mixed schedule of collegiate and club teams in a series of unofficial games. All teams play without their current senior class, with a handful grabbing transfers that are permitted to play in Spring competition. State's roster currently totes 13 players, including seven starters from the 2003 season. Memphis graduated just two seniors from its 2003 squad.
Following Wednesday's game, Mississippi State will return to action this weekend with its second annual Alumni Game as part of Super Bulldog Weekend festivities. Kickoff for that contest has been slated for 1 p.m. at the Mississippi State Soccer Field. Admission to both Wednesday's and Saturday's games are free.