MSU Drops Double-Overtime Decision At Alabama On Sunday

Sunday, October 15

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

5:00 PM

Mississippi State

7-4-3, 1-4-2SEC

Alabama

9-6-1, 1-5-1SEC

OT 1

OT 2

Mississippi State

Alabama

MSU Drops Double-Overtime Decision At Alabama On Sunday

October 15, 2017 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In a match with many momentum-shifting moments, Mississippi State dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision in double-overtime at Alabama on Sunday at the Alabama Soccer Complex.

The Bulldogs (7-4-3, 1-4-2 SEC) battled back from a 2-0 deficit to force extra time against the Crimson Tide (9-6-1, 1-5-1) on goals by MaKayla Waldner and Carly Mauldin that were less than three minutes apart.

"I give our players credit for (coming back)," MSU coach Tom Anagnost said of the Bulldogs' two quick scores. "We kept going at them and trying to get a goal and we did. We kept at it and got another one. Momentum-wise, I thought we could get a third one. I give our kids credit for staying with it. They kept at it."

Both teams had a multitude of chances, with State out-shooting Alabama 22-17 while winning the corner kick battle 9-8.

Bulldog goalkeeper Catalina Perez also kept State in contention all night in goal, displaying her excellent athleticism in all five of her saves. The Boca Raton, Fla., native also prevented several UA chances, especially late in the match when she prevented a shot in the 86th minute by snagging a cross intended for an approaching Alabama attacker.

MSU had its first big chance in the 16th minute when a Carly Mauldin shot was saved by Alabama goalkeeper Kat Stratton.

The Crimson Tide claimed the 1-0 lead in the 28th minute when Alexis Mouton netted a goal off a deflection from just above the 6-yard box.

Alabama went up 2-0 early in the second half on a header goal by Casey Wertz in the 49th minute assisted by Cat Jorgensen and Celia Jimenez Delgado.

In the 58th minute, Kiley Martens nearly gave the Bulldogs its first score of the contest when her strike was headed away by an Alabama defender.

State began to take momentum when Waldner netted her seventh goal of the season—a strike off of a deflection that skated past Stratton in the 76th minute.

The Bulldogs scored the equalizer just over two minutes later when Mauldin scored her first career goal by sending a laser into the upper 90 out of Stratton's reach on a free kick. The junior led all players in shots (6) and shots on goal (3) for the night.
In the 94th minute, Perez again displayed her athleticism by preventing Mouton from scoring the game-winner with a sliding save off her knee to eventually force a second overtime.

Alabama's Abbie Boswell scored the golden goal in the 102nd minute when she tapped in a cross from the right wing.

"We just have to do better in the box, offensively and defensively," Anagnost said. "In the end, we have to a better job defensively. Cat made a couple of very good saves to keep us tied. We're really close, but still not there and we have to be there at Georgia."

Next Up For MSU…

State will wrap up its road schedule on Thursday at Georgia. The match at Turner Soccer Complex is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSOC." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."