Mississippi State
Wake Forest
No. 20 State Set for Sunday Showdown at Wake Forest
August 24, 2024 | Soccer
Winston-Salem, N.C. – Mississippi State Soccer continues its early-season road swing, heading to Winston-Salem for a Sunday matchup against Wake Forest. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM CT at Spry Stadium, where the 20th ranked Bulldogs will look to extend their unbeaten streak and secure a 4-0 start to the 2024 campaign.
The Bulldogs (3-0-0) are coming off a crucial 2-0 win over UNC Charlotte on Thursday night to secure their first road win and pick up their third consecutive clean sheet to open the season. Maddy Anderson, who has played every minute in goal, has been a fortress at the back, moving into sole possession of 10th place on the SEC all-time shutouts list with 28. The defense in front of her has been just as formidable, limiting opponents to five or fewer shots and corners in each of the last two matches.
With the road win over Charlotte, the Bulldogs improved to 3-0-0 for the first time since 2018 and second time in program history. Additionally, for the first time since 1996, State has not allowed a goal in their opening three matches, underscoring the team's defensive prowess and solid goalkeeping.
Wake Forest (2-0-1) poses a significant challenge for the Bulldogs. While unranked, Wake is currently recieving votes in the polls and is poised for another successful season. The Demon Deacons, who recently defeated Temple to extend their unbeaten streak at home to 10 games, have been exceptional at Spry Stadium. Since the start of the 2022 season, Wake Forest has posted an impressive 12-2-5 record at home, including an undefeated season in 2023. Sunday's contest will mark the first meeting between the two programs, adding an element of anticipation as both teams look to make a statement.
Head Coach Tony da Luz has built Wake Forest into an ACC and national powerhouse. With a career record of 305-196-59 at Wake Forest, da Luz has guided the Demon Deacons to 21 NCAA Tournament appearances. The 2024 squad is one of his most experienced, returning 29 players, including 19 seniors, and bringing back 84.4% of its goal production from 2023 (27 of 32 goals). The combination of experience and home-field advantage makes Wake Forest a formidable opponent for the Bulldogs.
Mississippi State has shown signigicant depth offensively, with seven different Bulldogs finding the back of the net this season. The goals have come from Ilana Izquierdo, Alivia Buxton, Aitana Martinez-Montoya, Naila Schoefberger, Kennedy Husbands, Maggie Wadsworth, and a team goal, showcasing the Dawg's balance early in the 2024 campaign. This shared offensive responsibility has been complemented by a disciplined midfield and a cohesive backline, all key to their early-season success.
Match Information:
Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest
Date: Sunday, August 25, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM CT
Location: Spry Stadium, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Live Stats: StatBroadcastÂ
Broadcast: ACC NetworkÂ
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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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