Mississippi State
Texas A&M
No. 3 State Soccer Travels To Texas A&M For Sunday SEC Clash
October 26, 2024 | Soccer
STARKVILLE - No. 3 State soccer heads to Bryan-College Station on Sunday for a nationally televised matchup with Texas A&M. The match is set for a 5 p.m. CT kick and will be featured live on the SEC Network. Riding an 11-game winning streak and boasting an unblemished SEC record, the Bulldogs are set for a pair of road SEC matchups to conclude the regular season. With head coach James Armstrong at the helm, Mississippi State has enjoyed a season of firsts, breaking program records for both wins and streaks.
Defensively, graduate goalkeeper Maddy Anderson has emerged as the backbone of a nationally leading Mississippi State defense. With 12 solo shutouts this season and a combined 13 in total, Anderson ranks second nationally in shutouts and has become one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the country. A Texas native, Anderson has averaged a mere 0.204 goals against and maintains a save percentage of .914, leading both the NCAA and the SEC. Her 37 career shutouts place her second all-time in the SEC, a testament to her consistency and skill as one of the conference's all-time best.
Mississippi State's offensive prowess is equally formidable, marked by contributions from all areas of the field. Thirteen different Bulldogs have scored this season, underscoring the team's depth and versatility. Junior Ally Perry has led the charge with eight goals, four of which were game-winners. Perry's aggressive play has established her as a top offensive threat, leading the SEC in shots per game (4.33) and ranking among the top 20 players nationally for total shots taken.
The strength of Mississippi State's roster was recently recognized on a national level, with five players named to TopDrawerSoccer's Top 100 Players of 2024. This achievement reflects the team's depth, as no other college team placed more players on the list, and Mississippi State was the only team to have three players within the top 25. Midfielder Macey Hodge led the Bulldogs with a No. 8 ranking, followed closely by Perry at No. 13 and senior defender Alexis Gutierrez at No. 18. Gutierrez, in particular, has anchored the defense alongside Anderson, providing stability and skill that has helped the Bulldogs maintain their top-ranked defense. International standout Ilana Izquierdo, ranked No. 46, and senior defender Rylie Combs, ranked No. 54, round out the top 100, showcasing the squad's talent and balance across all positions.
Consistency and resilience have become hallmarks of Mississippi State soccer under James Armstrong's leadership. The Dawgs have enjoyed success when scoring first under Armstrong, holding a record of 53-1-6 in such games. Equally impressive, State has made the most of halftime adjustments, compiling a 35-0-3 record during Armstrong's tenure. This season, the Bulldogs broke several long-standing program records with their eighth SEC victory and 11 consecutive wins, the longest winning streak in school history.Â
State's unprecedented season has brought the program to its highest-ever national ranking, climbing to No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and holding a spot in the top rankings for 15 consecutive weeks.
Mississippi State's balanced lineup showcases its offensive firepower, led by Perry and supported by seasoned contributors such as Aitana Martinez-Montoya and Hannah Johnson. The Bulldogs' well-rounded squad ensures that the team is never reliant on a single player, creating a dynamic system that allows each player to contribute equally.
Coming off a hard-fought 0-0 draw against No. 4 Arkansas, the Aggies have shown defensive tenacity, thanks in part to goalkeeper Sydney Fuller. Fuller delivered an outstanding performance with 10 saves against one of the nation's top offenses. On offense, Texas A&M is led by Sydney Becerra, who has scored six goals this season. The Aggies' defense, which features four returning starters, has kept nine clean sheets in 2024.Â
Sunday's match will be featured live on the SEC Network, with additional coverage available through live stats on HailState.com.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's soccer on X, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateSoc."
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