Anderson Earns SEC-Leading Third Shutout

Thursday, September 2

Minneapolis, Minn.

1:00 p.m.

Mississippi State

2-2-1, 0-0-0

Minnesota

2-0-2, 0-0-0

Mississippi St.

Minnesota

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Anderson Earns SEC-Leading Third Shutout

September 02, 2021 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Ninety minutes was not enough time to decide Thursday's afternoon soccer match between Mississippi State and Minnesota. Extra time also could not find a winner, as the Bulldogs fought their way to a scoreless draw in Minneapolis.

State (2-2-1) had the best chances of the match, firing 18 shots and putting nine on frame. Maddy Anderson was forced to make three saves and handled a couple of dangerous crosses before they could connect on her way to her SEC-leading third shutout of the year.

"Maddy made a couple of really good saves later in the game," head coach James Armstrong said. "In the first half, the shots that were coming in didn't really trouble her as much as maybe it looked. Her distribution was great throughout. The biggest thing she did today was handle crosses, staying connected with the back four and organizing the back four, which I thought she did a tremendous job of."

Minnesota has not allowed a goal all season, but the Bulldogs came very close to cracking the net. Onyi Echegini and Ally Perry led MSU with five shots each. Echegini put three on frame while Perry had one blocked and one that was just touched over the crossbar.

MSU had chances early with Hannah Telleysh shooting high in the 15^th minute and Hailey Farrington-Bentil being saved in the 20^th minute. State's best chance of the day came in the 28^th minute when Monigo Karnley broke through the back line and was tripped up by the goalkeeper to earn a penalty kick.

Echegini took the penalty strike, but her shot was saved without a rebound. Anderson faced her toughest test with just under three minutes to play in the first half, deflecting a sudden shot over the bar.

Roll the 🎞!

Let's see those chances again!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/aP7L62JB9c
— Mississippi State Soccer (@HailStateSOC) September 2, 2021

The Bulldog back line held Minnesota to just two shots in the second half, neither of which were on target. State conceded six corners in the half, but the defense stood strong in the box.

"I thought the defensive side of the ball today was tremendous," Armstrong added. "I thought our back four, obviously Maddy as well, and Macey Hodge, did an unbelievable job. It was a great team defensive effort today. In terms of being disciplined, we limited a very good Minnesota team that's incredibly dangerous on the attack."

In the 60^th minute, Echegini got her best look of the day, but fired high. Later Perry's shot was saved over the bar in the 73^rd minute. The Bulldogs had two chances in overtime. In the 97^th minute, Macey Hodge recovered a clearance and served the ball into the box where it deflected around the keeper. Farrington-Bentil made a sliding effort to get a foot on the ball, but she could not redirect it inside the right post.

Madison Cotta and Karnley teamed up for some quick passing that sprung Cotta for a one-on-one opportunity, but her shot was saved. In the final three minutes, Anderson made a diving save to preserve the shutout.

The Bulldogs head on the road this week for a pair of games against Big Ten schools. State will play at Minnesota on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs then travel to Iowa for a Sunday afternoon matchup at 1 p.m. against the Hawkeyes.

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.