Top-Seeded Mississippi State Opens NCAA Tournament With 7-0 Victory Over Southern U
November 16, 2024 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – Top-seeded Mississippi State (18-2-0, 10-0-0 SEC) delivered a dominant performance to open the NCAA Tournament, defeating Southern University (7-10-2, 5-1-2 SWAC) 7-0. With the victory, the Bulldogs advance to the Round of 32 for the third consecutive season and continue their historic season, highlighted by setting multiple records both on and off the field.
Playing in front of a raucous home crowd, State once again shattered its attendance record, marking the third time this season the Bulldogs have set a new standard. The match boasted the highest attendance of any First Round game across the nation and fueled an unforgettable night for the program as 3,461 of the Maroon and White faithful packed the pitch.
On the field, the Bulldogs' 38 shots were the most by any team in the First Round, and they were the only squad to hold their opponent without a single shot attempt. State's seven goals marked the most scored by any SEC team in the opening round and tied the program's highest goal tally in 16 years, dating back to 2008.
Mississippi State set the tone just nine minutes in with a brilliant team goal. Kennedy Husbands whipped in a cross from the left wing to Aitana Martinez-Montoya, who darted into the box and laid the ball off to Maggie Wadsworth. Wadsworth, positioned inside the six-yard box, calmly guided the ball into the back of the net to spark the Bulldogs' offensive onslaught.
Nine minutes later, State doubled its advantage on a perfectly executed set piece. Ally Perry delivered a pinpoint corner to the back post, where Price Loposer rose above her marker to head the ball across the face of goal and into the side netting for her second goal of the season.
The Bulldogs extended their lead in the 28th minute when Chelsea Wagner drew a foul in the box, earning State its first penalty kick since October 10th. Martinez-Montoya stepped up to the spot and buried the penalty, her sixth goal of the season, giving MSU a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.
State's relentless attack continued into the second half, beginning with a stunning volley from Rylie Combs in the 49th minute. Hannah Johnson, who recorded her team-leading eighth assist of the year, sent a perfect ball back toward the penalty spot, where Combs connected to net her second goal of the season.
Four minutes later, Perry added a goal of her own after being fouled at the top of the box. The senior stepped up for the ensuing free kick and curled a flawless shot around the Southern wall, slotting it inside the near post for her team-leading 10th goal of the year.
The highlight of the night came in the 55th minute, courtesy of Zoe Main's wonder strike. Wadsworth played a ball to Main 25 yards from goal, and the sophomore dazzled, cutting inside and then outside before unleashing a thunderous shot that ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar and down into the net for State's sixth goal.
Freshman Kara Harris rounded out the scoring in the 71st minute, finishing off a brilliant sequence of team play. Riley Thompson, with her back to goal, laid the ball off to McKinnan Braswell, who threaded a perfect pass into the box. Harris struck it first time into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.
The Bulldogs will continue their postseason journey on Friday when they host Washington. More info will be available and will be announced at a later time. Tickets are on sale now at hailst.at/SOCTickets.
Match Notes:
- Mississippi State's seven goals marked the most scored in a match since 2008 and the most by any SEC team in this year's First Round.
- The Bulldogs recorded 38 shots, the most by any team in the First Round, and held Southern without a single shot—the only team to do so in this round.
- State's home crowd set a new program attendance record for the third time this season and was the largest recorded attendance of any First Round match in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
- Ally Perry's goal was her 10th of the season, the team lead.
- Mississippi State has extended its home unbeaten streak to 15 matches.
Quoting Head Coach James Armstrong:
On The Record Breaking Crowd
JA: "To see the line of people waiting to get in tonight gave us goosebumps. When we heard how loud they were and how into the game they were, it was more than we could ever ask. But we will ask that they come back next Friday. at would be awesome as well. I thought the girls did a really good job of executing in the final third, limiting them to a few chances. Our bench did a really good job – our gamechangers as we like to call them – of coming in and giving some rest to players who needed some rest aer a long season and a tough ending to the schedule. I couldn't be prouder of the girls or prouder of the fans. is was a great night for Mississippi State as a whole and our program. We look forward to playing Washington next Friday."
Quoting Rylie Combs:
On Playing In Front Of A Record Crowd
RC: "It's honestly so amazing, especially from my freshman year when not so many people came to our games. It's just the growth over the years. For us as players, we take pride in the fans coming, watching us and supporting us. We want to bring in as many people as possible. [e fans] are a part of our circle. We say before the games, 'Keep it in our circle,' and our circle is everyone that supports us here, or watches it on TV. We take a lot of pride in who supports us, and we will support them right back. We're very big on that."
Quoting Aitana Martinez-Montoya:
On Playing In Front Of A Record Crowd
AMM: "Coming from a country where soccer is the most important sport, I think it's really cool to see. I saw a picture Macey [Hodge] posted from two or three years ago and how the community has supported us through the whole season is really, really cool to see as we try to grow the game in a different way."
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."
– HailState.com –
Team Stats

Maggie Wadsworth (3)
Assisted By: Aitana Martinez-Montoya , Kennedy Husbands
GOAL by MSST Wadsworth, Maggie Assist by Martinez-Montoya, Aitana and Husbands, Kennedy.
08:11

Price Loposer (2)
Assisted By: Ally Perry
GOAL by MSST Loposer, Price Assist by Perry, Ally.
18:56

Aitana Martinez-Montoya (6)
MSST Aitana Martinez-Montoya PENALTY KICK GOAL.
27:24

Rylie Combs (2)
Assisted By: Hannah Johnson
GOAL by MSST Combs, Rylie Assist by Johnson, Hannah.
48:59

Ally Perry (10)
GOAL by MSST Perry, Ally.
51:52

Zoe Main (5)
GOAL by MSST Main, Zoe.
54:09

Kara Harris (2)
Assisted By: McKinnan Braswell , Riley Thompson
GOAL by MSST Harris, Kara Assist by Braswell, McKinnan and Thompson, Riley.
70:49