Bulldogs Battle To Draw Against Florida

Friday, September 18

Starkville

6 p.m.

Mississippi State

7-1-1, 1-0-1

Florida

4-3-2, 0-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Florida	0	2	2
Mississippi St.	1	1	2

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Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Bulldogs Battle To Draw Against Florida

September 18, 2026 | Soccer

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By: Brian Ogden, Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – A back-and-forth match ended in a draw on Friday night as Mississippi State and Florida tied, 2-2.

State led twice, but the Gators evened the score with two second-half goals, including one from the penalty spot.

"Two SEC games so far and two fantastic competitive matches for the fans to watch," head coach Kevin O'Brien said. "I am really proud of our girls, but if I am being honest – I did not want to address it before the first two games – but you could not have asked for two more emotionally-packed fixtures to start off your SEC campaign with the Magnolia Cup and the narrative that goes along with the Florida game. I am beyond proud of our girls because they went to work this week and they executed really well, and unfortunately the game is tough sometimes."

In the 11th minute, Kara Harris took a shot from 30 yards out and put it off the crossbar. It ricocheted straight to Hailey Johnson who headed it back into the net for the night's first goal.

The Bulldogs (7-1-1, 1-0-1 SEC) were outshot, 8-4, in the first half, but Jenny Harrison handled every attempt making two saves and erasing multiple crosses. Florida earned four corners but could not capitalize on them.

The scoring picked up in the second half. In the 60th minute, Florida was awarded a penalty on review for a handball in the box. Skye Barnes converted it to tie the match, but the Bulldogs answered just four minutes later.

Chiara Tappe served a free kick into the box from out wide on the left. Eden Nicholson was running free on the back post and headed the ball past the keeper to retake the lead.

"I get the penalty, but I struggle with it a little bit personally because I do not know how you get out of the way of that thing, and that is disappointing to me," O'Brien added. "All in all, the way we competed and continued to create chances in the second half when we were getting tired legs. our girls dug deep and battled big time."

Another scramble in the box resulted in the final goal, however. In the 78th minute, State was unable to clear a corner. Kyra Taylor pounced on the bouncing ball and scored to pull the Gators (4-3-2, 0-1-1 SEC) level.

State earned six corners in the second half, including three in a two-minute span, but could not find a winner. Harrison finished her night with four saves.

Mississippi State will hit the road next week for a two-match road trip in the northern portion of the conference. State plays at No. 8/4 Tennessee on Thursday night with the match airing nationally on ESPNU at 7 p.m. The team will then drive across the state line to Kentucky for a noon kickoff on Sunday on SEC Network+.

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