State Routs Union In Final Preseason Tune-Up

Sunday, August 17

Starkville

6 p.m.

Mississippi State

Union

State Routs Union In Final Preseason Tune-Up

August 17, 2025 | Soccer

By: Brian Ogden, Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – It would have been a record-setting night as No. 20/22 Mississippi State defeated Union, 9-0, in exhibition play on Sunday. In regular-season play, MSU has only scored more goals one time – when State defeated Alabama A&M by a 10-0 score in 2000.

The Bulldogs scored six first-half goals on 12 shots. Ally Perry scored twice and added an assist in the period. Kyra Taylor also netted a pair. An own goal and a tally from Laila Murillo rounded out the first-half scoring. Freshmen Adia Symmonds, Sofía Aguayo and Tatum Borman all tallied assists.

Ten of State's shots were on target in the opening 45 minutes. Meanwhile, Union took five shots, putting only one on frame, which was saved by Sarah Wommack.

"We were obviously disappointed as a group and as a staff to not play on Thursday night," head coach Nick Zimmerman said. "We felt we needed something to get a game in. Credit to Union, we reached out and they were like, 'Yeah, we'd love to come.' We're super appreciative for them coming up on a Sunday to have this opportunity. For us, it was an opportunity to get better, and that's what we all used it as."

Lauryn Taylor and Chelsea Wagner took over the second half, teaming up for all three Bulldog goals. Wagner fired four shots, putting all four on target. While she scored once in the 65th minute, two of her shots were saved with the rebound falling at Lauryn Taylor's feet for tap-in goals. Lauryn Taylor picked up the assist on Wagner's goal after serving in a cross.

For the match, MSU outshot Union, 27-7, and 17 of those shots were on target. Jenny Harrison played the final 45 minutes in net for State and made one save.

Mississippi State's first official match of 2025 is set for Thursday, Aug. 21 against Jacksonville State. Kickoff in Starkville is again set for 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSOC."