Mississippi State
8-1-0, 2-0-0
#11 Texas
7-1-2, 0-1-1
No. 24 Mississippi State Shuts Out No. 11 Texas In SEC Home Opener
September 22, 2024 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – In a marquee top-25 showdown, Mississippi State (8-1-0, 2-0-0 SEC) delivered a statement performance, defeating previously unbeaten No. 11 Texas (7-1-2, 0-1-1 SEC) 1-0 under the lights at the MSU Soccer Field. The Bulldogs entered the matchup ranked No. 24 by United Soccer Coaches and No. 22 by TopDrawerSoccer, while the Longhorns came in as one of the nation's top teams, holding the No. 11 spot in the United Soccer Coaches poll and a prestigious No. 4 ranking by TopDrawerSoccer.
The lone goal came in the 15th minute, when Ally Perry netted her fourth goal of the season, finishing off a well-timed assist from Aitana Martinez-Montoya. The play started with Martinez-Montoya's vision and precision passing, as she threaded the ball through Texas' backline, finding Perry in stride. Perry's composure in front of goal was key, as she slotted it past Texas goalkeeper Mia Justus to give the Dawgs the lead.
That early goal proved to be decisive in a game defined by staunch defensive efforts on both sides. State, known for its rock-solid backline, once again demonstrated why they are one of the most formidable defensive units in the country. Anchored by Maddy Anderson in goal, who secured her seventh clean sheet of the season, the Bulldogs withstood the pressure applied by Texas' potent attack. Anderson made two crucial saves to maintain the lead, while the Bulldog defense, led by veterans Rylie Combs and Alexis Gutierrez, limited Texas to just seven total shots, with only two on target.
Texas came into the match boasting an undefeated record and one of the most dangerous offenses in the nation. However, they struggled to find a rhythm against State's disciplined defense. Despite pushing forward aggressively in the second half, the Longhorns could not break through, even as they earned four corner kicks and attempted to create chances through set pieces. The Longhorns were especially frustrated in the final third, as the Bulldogs consistently disrupted their build-up play and kept the Horns scoreless.
Mississippi State's defensive solidity was matched by their ability to control the tempo of the game. The midfield duo of Macey Hodge and Ilana Izquierdo played pivotal roles in maintaining possession and cutting off Texas' passing lanes. Despite the physicality of the contest, the Bulldogs stayed composed and disciplined, never allowing the Longhorns a clear path to goal.
Statistically, Mississippi State controlled key aspects of the match. The Bulldogs outshot Texas 12-7, with seven of their attempts being on target compared to just two for the Longhorns. In goal, Texas used both Justus and Megan Hogate, who combined for five saves, but they couldn't keep out the decisive strike from Perry.
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Scoring Summary:
- 14:20 | MSST: Ally Perry (Assist: Aitana Martinez-Montoya) – Perry timed her run perfectly and calmly finished Martinez-Montoya's pass to net what would be the match-winner.
Key Stats:
- Shots: STATEÂ 12, TEX 7
- Shots on Goal: STATE 7, TEX 2
- Saves: TEX 6, STATEÂ 2
- Corner Kicks: STATE 4, TEX 4
- Fouls: STATE 10, TEX 5
The victory marks Mississippi State's eighth clean sheet of the season and their eighth win overall, continuing an impressive start to the 2024 campaign. The Bulldogs' defense has been particularly noteworthy, having now conceded only two goals across their first nine matches, a testament to their cohesion and tactical discipline.
Quoting Head Coach James Armstrong:
On The SEC Home Opener
JA: "Texas threw everything at us, but the girls fought from the first whistle. The fans also made a huge difference tonight. We had over 1,400 people here tonight that stayed all the way to the end and that made a huge difference for us."
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Looking Ahead
JA: "We just have to make sure we get better each and every day. There were a lot of things tonight that we will look at and know that we have to improve before we go on the road to South Carolina. Right now it is about controlling the controllable. [We have to focus on] what we have to do better on both sides of the ball to keep this momentum going into another tough week."
Quoting Ally Perry:
On SEC Play
AP: "This week was a great week starting off SEC play with six points away and home, with both of the new SEC members. It was the best way we could have started SEC play."
Quoting Maddy Anderson:Â
On SEC Play
MA: "The thing about opening weekends is that you only get one. You only get one chance to have Oklahoma's first SEC game and also welcome Texas for their first away game in conference. It was a fantastic way to start [SEC play].
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
Ally Perry (4)
Assisted By: Aitana Martinez-Montoya
GOAL by MSST Perry, Ally Assist by Martinez-Montoya, Aitana.
14:20
