PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Mississippi State soccer program (11-5-4) fell to the No. 1 seeded Alabama Crimson Tide (18-1-1) in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
Despite the loss, MSU became the eighth team all season to hold Alabama to two goals or fewer in a game, and only the third SEC team to hold the Crimson Tide scoreless in a 45-minute window.
“We are so proud of the response the team gave in the second half versus an excellent Alabama team,” head coach James Armstrong said. “We need to use that momentum to push forward for the rest of the season.”
After giving up the opening goal within the first 15 minutes, redshirt-freshman goalkeeper Mac Titus saved the penalty kick from Alabama’s Reyna Reyes in the 24th minute.
The Crimson Tide would grab its second goal of the night midway through the first half.
After only registering three shots in the opening, 45-minute frame, the Bulldogs would outshoot the Crimson Tide, 8-7, in the second half, while goalkeepers Titus and senior Hannah Pimentel would team up with five total saves to keep State within the two-goal threshold.
For the third time as a Bulldog and second time as a starter, sophomore transfer Alexis Gutierrez recorded two shots on the night, along with senior Gwen Mummert. Freshman Maggie Wadsworth led the squad with three total shots on the evening, while Haley McWhirter, Mummert and Ashlyn Kane each recorded a shot on goal.
The Bulldogs will now await their fate in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Show will take place Monday, Nov. 7, at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on NCAA.com.
For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, visit HailState.com or search for “HailStateSOC” on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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