Bulldogs Drop Regular Season Finale To Nationally-Ranked Texas A&M

Thursday, October 26

Starkville

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

8-5-4 (2-5-3SEC)

#14 Texas A&M

14-2-1 (9-1-0SEC)

Texas A&M

Mississippi State

Bulldogs Drop Regular Season Finale To Nationally-Ranked Texas A&M

October 26, 2017 | Soccer

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STARKVILLE, Miss. – One of the best regular seasons in nearly a decade came to a close on Thursday as Mississippi State (8-5-4, 2-5-3 SEC) dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 decision to Top-15 Texas A&M (14-2-1, 9-1-0) at the MSU Soccer Field.

"Give credit to Texas A&M, who is a great team," MSU coach Tom Anagnost said. "They have great players who made the plays tonight. Defensively, we gifted them two soft goals and that was the difference in the game."

The eight-win finish to the regular season results in the program's first winning season since 2009 and the .588 winning percentage is the best by an MSU squad since 2001.

"From the time that this staff got here in the winter to now, the growth, progress and improvement is as dramatic as I've ever seen," Anagnost said. "Our 10 seniors are the reason for the change. They created such an incredible environment and culture for our team and our program. They are the reason for the turnaround."

The Bulldogs mounted an early 1-0 lead, but the Aggies were able to chip away later in the match, ultimately scoring the go-ahead goal midway through the second half.

State struck first in the fifth minute when Courtney Robicheaux tapped in Mallory Eubanks' pin-point corner kick for her third goal of the year. The assist by Eubanks was her team-leading sixth of the season and the 16th of her career, which ranks second in program history.

MSU nearly took a 2-0 lead a minute later on a Carly Mauldin strike that was kicked away by Texas A&M goalkeeper Cosette Morche.

Texas A&M knotted it up in the 21st minute when Emily Bates chipped the ball over the back line for her second score of the year.

The Bulldogs almost reclaimed the lead in the 27th minute when Brooke McKee got a nice foot on the ball but shot it just wide right of the goal.

A minute later, MSU goalkeeper Catalina Perez kept the Aggies from scoring the go-ahead goal by recovering nicely after slipping on the turf and tapping a header by Briana Alston over the crossbar. It was one of six saves for Perez on the night.

The Aggies then scored the game-winner in the 66th minute on a penalty kick goal by Grace Piper that skated just past a diving Perez.

State had another chance to tie things up late in the contest when an on-target header by Payton Gruenewald was punched over the net by Morche in the 87th minute.

Anagnost emphasized how much his group of 10 seniors has impacted the program in such a positive way.

"Our seniors created such a great culture and environment for this program," Anagnost said. "It's the most special environment I have ever been in. They just made it so enjoyable. It has been an absolute privilege and honor to coach them every day."

Next Up For MSU…

The Bulldogs will now await their fate for the 2017 NCAA Tournament, which will be decided on Monday, Nov. 6. The first round for the 64-team tournament begins Nov. 10.

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