Thursday, September 21
Starkville
7:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Missouri
Waldner, Bulldogs Host Missouri For SEC Home Opener
September 20, 2017 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – MaKayla Waldner will be going up against some familiar faces on Thursday night, as the Mississippi State soccer team (6-1-1, 0-1 SEC) hosts Missouri (5-4-1, 1-0) in its Southeastern Conference home opener at 7 p.m.
The Dexter, Mo., native would often travel three hours or more to play club soccer, since her high school did not offer the sport. She played for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club, which has squads on both the Illinois and Missouri sides of the greater St. Louis area.
"There are some of the girls who played on the Missouri side that play for Missouri," Waldner said. "I have only been playing against them since I was a junior in high school, but it's nice going out there and seeing some familiar faces."
Dexter is approximately 4 1/2 hours from Missouri's campus, so Waldner did not travel much to Columbia. When she did, it was for state basketball and wrestling championships and supporting her small hometown.
Now in her sophomore campaign, Waldner feels she has definitely improved as a player from year one to year two.
"I definitely have more composure on the ball," Waldner said. "I am calmer when the ball comes to me and am placing my shots better after working so much with Matt [Kagan]. He tells me that I don't always have to have a power shot and that it can sometimes be just a finesse finish."
In addition to being a mainstay on the Bulldogs' front line, Waldner works extremely hard in the classroom, majoring in mechanical engineering—one of MSU's more rigorous academic programs.
"As a student and an athlete, I've improved by getting my priorities straight," Waldner said. "I've figured out what classes I need to spend more time on and to study more for but it also goes for getting everything I need to do done in a timely manner. There's not much room for any free time because I'm usually always doing school work or practicing, but I love both things I do so the free time doesn't matter."
Admission to the contest is free and the match will be streamed live on SEC Network+, with Anthony Craven and Robbie Kroger on the call.
Promotions
Promotions for Thursday's contest include "International Student Night," with pizza being served to international students in attendance. Also, since cowbells are permitted at the MSU Soccer Field, fans are asked to bring their cowbells to every game and on Thursday, prizes will be awarded to those who bring them. MSU Soccer crest stickers will also be available for fans to decorate their bell. Fans will also have a chance to win $10,000.
In addition, Hail State Rewards members will be able to pick up prizes they have redeemed in the prize store.
About the Tigers
Missouri enters Thursday's contest riding three-straight wins, including a 3-1 win against Georgia on Friday in its SEC opener in which the Tigers outshot UGA 17-15 and had nine shots on goal to Georgia's six. The Tigers are led in scoring by Tess Rellihan, who has four goals and an assist this season.
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."
The Dexter, Mo., native would often travel three hours or more to play club soccer, since her high school did not offer the sport. She played for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club, which has squads on both the Illinois and Missouri sides of the greater St. Louis area.
"There are some of the girls who played on the Missouri side that play for Missouri," Waldner said. "I have only been playing against them since I was a junior in high school, but it's nice going out there and seeing some familiar faces."
Dexter is approximately 4 1/2 hours from Missouri's campus, so Waldner did not travel much to Columbia. When she did, it was for state basketball and wrestling championships and supporting her small hometown.
Now in her sophomore campaign, Waldner feels she has definitely improved as a player from year one to year two.
"I definitely have more composure on the ball," Waldner said. "I am calmer when the ball comes to me and am placing my shots better after working so much with Matt [Kagan]. He tells me that I don't always have to have a power shot and that it can sometimes be just a finesse finish."
In addition to being a mainstay on the Bulldogs' front line, Waldner works extremely hard in the classroom, majoring in mechanical engineering—one of MSU's more rigorous academic programs.
"As a student and an athlete, I've improved by getting my priorities straight," Waldner said. "I've figured out what classes I need to spend more time on and to study more for but it also goes for getting everything I need to do done in a timely manner. There's not much room for any free time because I'm usually always doing school work or practicing, but I love both things I do so the free time doesn't matter."
Admission to the contest is free and the match will be streamed live on SEC Network+, with Anthony Craven and Robbie Kroger on the call.
Promotions
Promotions for Thursday's contest include "International Student Night," with pizza being served to international students in attendance. Also, since cowbells are permitted at the MSU Soccer Field, fans are asked to bring their cowbells to every game and on Thursday, prizes will be awarded to those who bring them. MSU Soccer crest stickers will also be available for fans to decorate their bell. Fans will also have a chance to win $10,000.
In addition, Hail State Rewards members will be able to pick up prizes they have redeemed in the prize store.
About the Tigers
Missouri enters Thursday's contest riding three-straight wins, including a 3-1 win against Georgia on Friday in its SEC opener in which the Tigers outshot UGA 17-15 and had nine shots on goal to Georgia's six. The Tigers are led in scoring by Tess Rellihan, who has four goals and an assist this season.
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."
Players Mentioned
F
/ SoccerSOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Player Media Session
Wednesday, September 17
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Press Conference vs Tennessee
Friday, September 12
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Media Session
Wednesday, September 10
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Press Conference vs Louisiana Tech
Thursday, September 04