Mississippi State
#14 South Carolina
Top-Seeded Mississippi State Set To Face No. 4 Seed South Carolina In SEC Tournament Semifinals
November 06, 2024 | Soccer
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The excitement of the 2024 season continues to build for State as the Bulldogs (17-1-0, 10-0-0 SEC) prepare for their SEC Tournament Semifinal matchup with South Carolina (9-2-7, 5-2-3 SEC) on Thursday, November 7. Set for a 3:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Ashton Brosnaham Park in Pensacola, this highly anticipated showdown pits two of the SEC's top contenders against each other, with Mississippi State looking to advance to its first-ever SEC Tournament final. The match will be featured live on SEC Network.
When these teams last squared off on October 30 in Columbia, State clinched a 2-1 victory in a hard-fought regular-season finale that solidified the Bulldogs' dominance in conference play. Despite South Carolina's defensive prowess and depth, Mississippi State emerged victorious through relentless effort, strong ball control, and timely goal-scoring, setting the stage for another thrilling matchup as they now meet in postseason play. This victory marked Mississippi State's 10th consecutive SEC win, completing a perfect conference season – a feat achieved by only three other programs in SEC history.
Mississippi State's journey this season has been nothing short of record-breaking, with Head Coach James Armstrong guiding the program to new heights in his sixth year at the helm. With a 17-1-0 record, the Bulldogs have rewritten program history, including setting a record for wins in a season and securing the SEC Regular Season Championship. Known for their stifling defense, the Bulldogs boast an exceptional 0.28 goals-against average, allowing only five goals across 18 games. Anchored by goalkeeper Maddy Anderson, Mississippi State's defense has recorded 14Â shutouts, consistently frustrating opposing offenses and creating a powerful advantage for the Bulldogs. Anderson, who ranks second all-time in SEC career shutouts with 38, has been pivotal in the Bulldogs' remarkable defensive success, delivering standout performances game after game.
Offensively, Mississippi State's balanced attack has been led by junior Ally Perry, whose nine goals and 21 points pace the team. Senior forward Aitana Martinez-Montoya and fellow senior Hannah Johnson have also played key roles, with Johnson leading the squad in assists (7) and providing critical support in transition. Together, this versatile offensive trio has helped the Bulldogs to an impressive average of 2.06 goals per game, blending speed, precision, and creativity to challenge even the most disciplined defenses.
South Carolina enters the semifinals following a decisive 4-1 victory over Alabama in the quarterfinals, where they showcased offensive depth and resilience. The Gamecocks opened the scoring early with Amanda Patrick's first career goal, which set the tone for the match and lifted South Carolina to a commanding lead they would not relinquish. Senior forward Catherine Barry, who has cemented her legacy as one of South Carolina's all-time greats, added to her record-setting career total, reaching 48 goals and surpassing the Gamecocks' all-time points record with 121. Barry's experience and scoring ability, combined with South Carolina's depth, will be a formidable challenge for the Bulldogs.
Throughout the season, South Carolina has been a defensive powerhouse, allowing just 1.00 goals per game, and their disciplined, well-structured backline has made them one of the most difficult teams to break down. The Gamecocks' 2.11 goals per game attest to their balanced play on both sides of the ball, with a high level of precision in the attack and a clinical shot-on-goal percentage of .472.
South Carolina holds a 13-6-3 advantage in the all-time series against Mississippi State, but the Bulldogs' recent victory has added a new chapter to this competitive rivalry. With both teams fighting for a spot in the championship game, Thursday's match promises to add another intense chapter to their series history.
As Mississippi State seeks to continue its extraordinary season and secure a place in the SEC Championship, Thursday's matchup will be a test of resilience, skill, and championship resolve. With a perfect conference season behind them and a history-making journey on the line, the Bulldogs look ahead to another great matchup on the pitch.
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 –
