Thursday, August 31
Starkville
6:30 p.m.
Mississippi State
vs
Iowa
Photo by: Mike Mattina/MSU Athletics
Bulldogs Welcome BIG-10 Foe for a Thursday Night Showdown of the Unbeaten
August 30, 2023 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – This week promises a pair of exhilarating showdowns as Mississippi State prepares to welcome a pair of Power 5 squads into Starkville. First up, the Dawgs welcome the Hawkeyes of Iowa for a match scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
State has roared into the season with an impressive 3-0-1 record, showcasing their dominance with victories over Grand Canyon (2-1), Northwestern State (3-0), and FIU (2-0). Their prowess on the field is further highlighted by their remarkable tie at Arizona State (0-0). The Bulldogs look to remain unbeaten against Iowa (3-0-0) who has begun their season with victories over Florida Gulf Coast (1-0), Kansas City (2-0), and in-state foe Iowa State (2-1).
A driving force behind Mississippi State's triumphs is their standout goalkeeper, Maddy Anderson. Anderson has been a rock-solid presence in goal for State since she stepped on campus and has had a fantastic start to her senior campaign. Having played in all four matches this season, Anderson's performance has been nothing short of remarkable. With 342 minutes and 31 seconds under her belt, she has conceded only one goal, maintaining an outstanding goals-against average (GAA) of 0.26. Her agility and skill have allowed her to make 11 saves, showcasing her impressive save percentage of .917. Anderson's ability to secure clean sheets is evident with two consecutive shutouts to her name, and her dominance in the box has been a key factor in repelling a total of 22 shots from opponents. Anderson has solidified her place as the all-time leading shutouts record holder during her tenure as the Bulldog Keeper, boasting an impressive tally of 18 shutouts.
On the offensive front, Ilana Izquierdo and Aitana Martinez-Montoya have showcased their scoring early this season, each contributing two goals to the team's efforts. Maggie Wadsworth has been instrumental in creating opportunities, leading the team with two assists, both directed toward Izquierdo against FIU. Hannah Johnson has displayed her attacking acumen with a goal to her name this season. Johnson's ability to find the back of the net showcases her offensive instincts, while her 10 shots indicate her active involvement in creating opportunities. Johnson's contributions are vital to State's offensive endeavors, and her persistence in front of goal is sure to keep the opposition's defense on high alert.
The Bulldogs have demonstrated their attacking might with a shooting spree that has left their opponents reeling. Having fired off 64 shots (with 31 being on goal) so far, they have managed to find the back of the net seven times. This offensive display has yielded a goals-per-game ratio of 1.75, showcasing their scoring efficiency. Meanwhile, the Dawgs defense has held strong, allowing only one goal against their name.
Iowa is a team that boasts its own roster of skilled players and a rich history In his tenth season leading the Hawkeyes is Head Coach Dave DiIanni. Last season, the Hawkeyes concluded with a 5-6-7 overall record and a 2-3-5 record in the Big Ten, coming just a few points short of securing a spot in the conference postseason.
Iowa's roster sees the return of eight players with a minimum of three years' experience in collegiate play. Notably, among them are seventh-year player Josie Durr and fifth-year athlete Samantha Cary, who held a captaincy in the preceding season. Cary plays a pivotal role in fortifying the Hawkeye defense, which maintained an impressive record of allowing just one goal per game over the last two seasons, accompanied by a remarkable tally of 13 clean sheets during this timeframe.
Iowa's arsenal includes talents like Meike Ingles and Elle Otto, who have consistently delivered standout performances. Ingles, known for her postseason heroics in 2020-21 for the Hawkeyes, has already displayed her knack for finding the net this season. Meanwhile, Otto leads the team with her two goals and five points. Macy Enneking, the senior goalkeeper for Iowa, has been a formidable presence between the posts, ranking fifth in program history for career wins and sixth for career shutouts.
The clash between these two holds special significance, as it marks a rematch of their previous encounter on September 5, 2021, where they fought to a 1-1 tie. The teams are undoubtedly eager to break the deadlock and prove their superiority on the field.
The match will be streaming live via SEC Network+, allowing fans across the nation to be part of the excitement. With the fans' cheers echoing and the cowbells' resonance, the MSU Soccer Field is the place to be Thursday night.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's soccer on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateSoc."
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State has roared into the season with an impressive 3-0-1 record, showcasing their dominance with victories over Grand Canyon (2-1), Northwestern State (3-0), and FIU (2-0). Their prowess on the field is further highlighted by their remarkable tie at Arizona State (0-0). The Bulldogs look to remain unbeaten against Iowa (3-0-0) who has begun their season with victories over Florida Gulf Coast (1-0), Kansas City (2-0), and in-state foe Iowa State (2-1).
A driving force behind Mississippi State's triumphs is their standout goalkeeper, Maddy Anderson. Anderson has been a rock-solid presence in goal for State since she stepped on campus and has had a fantastic start to her senior campaign. Having played in all four matches this season, Anderson's performance has been nothing short of remarkable. With 342 minutes and 31 seconds under her belt, she has conceded only one goal, maintaining an outstanding goals-against average (GAA) of 0.26. Her agility and skill have allowed her to make 11 saves, showcasing her impressive save percentage of .917. Anderson's ability to secure clean sheets is evident with two consecutive shutouts to her name, and her dominance in the box has been a key factor in repelling a total of 22 shots from opponents. Anderson has solidified her place as the all-time leading shutouts record holder during her tenure as the Bulldog Keeper, boasting an impressive tally of 18 shutouts.
On the offensive front, Ilana Izquierdo and Aitana Martinez-Montoya have showcased their scoring early this season, each contributing two goals to the team's efforts. Maggie Wadsworth has been instrumental in creating opportunities, leading the team with two assists, both directed toward Izquierdo against FIU. Hannah Johnson has displayed her attacking acumen with a goal to her name this season. Johnson's ability to find the back of the net showcases her offensive instincts, while her 10 shots indicate her active involvement in creating opportunities. Johnson's contributions are vital to State's offensive endeavors, and her persistence in front of goal is sure to keep the opposition's defense on high alert.
The Bulldogs have demonstrated their attacking might with a shooting spree that has left their opponents reeling. Having fired off 64 shots (with 31 being on goal) so far, they have managed to find the back of the net seven times. This offensive display has yielded a goals-per-game ratio of 1.75, showcasing their scoring efficiency. Meanwhile, the Dawgs defense has held strong, allowing only one goal against their name.
Iowa is a team that boasts its own roster of skilled players and a rich history In his tenth season leading the Hawkeyes is Head Coach Dave DiIanni. Last season, the Hawkeyes concluded with a 5-6-7 overall record and a 2-3-5 record in the Big Ten, coming just a few points short of securing a spot in the conference postseason.
Iowa's roster sees the return of eight players with a minimum of three years' experience in collegiate play. Notably, among them are seventh-year player Josie Durr and fifth-year athlete Samantha Cary, who held a captaincy in the preceding season. Cary plays a pivotal role in fortifying the Hawkeye defense, which maintained an impressive record of allowing just one goal per game over the last two seasons, accompanied by a remarkable tally of 13 clean sheets during this timeframe.
Iowa's arsenal includes talents like Meike Ingles and Elle Otto, who have consistently delivered standout performances. Ingles, known for her postseason heroics in 2020-21 for the Hawkeyes, has already displayed her knack for finding the net this season. Meanwhile, Otto leads the team with her two goals and five points. Macy Enneking, the senior goalkeeper for Iowa, has been a formidable presence between the posts, ranking fifth in program history for career wins and sixth for career shutouts.
The clash between these two holds special significance, as it marks a rematch of their previous encounter on September 5, 2021, where they fought to a 1-1 tie. The teams are undoubtedly eager to break the deadlock and prove their superiority on the field.
The match will be streaming live via SEC Network+, allowing fans across the nation to be part of the excitement. With the fans' cheers echoing and the cowbells' resonance, the MSU Soccer Field is the place to be Thursday night.
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– HailState.com –
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