STARKVILLE — “Utter domination” is the most accurate description of Thursday night’s home opener for Mississippi State women’s soccer.
Coming off a weekend where the Bulldogs defeated Grand Canyon and drew with Arizona State, they looked to start their home slate off right against Northwestern State.
An early goal from sophomore Maggie Wadsworth set the tone for the rout that ensued, a 3-0 shutout with MSU controlling every statistical category on the night.
“It was really important to get that early goal,” head coach James Armstrong said. “We knew that they were going to fight really hard and they were up for the game, so that goal within the first five minutes was really good for us to settle into the game.”
The Bulldogs (2-0-1) didn’t allow a shot until late into the second half, obliterating the Demons (0-2), 19-1, in total shots, as well as 10-0 in shots on goal.
Mississippi State applied immense pressure on Northwestern State through the first 45 minutes of play, taking advantage of a team that was playing a five-in-the-back formation, dropping back early and often instead of trying to play up the field.
While the Demons played more defensively, the Bulldogs kept attacking and attacking, earning seven corners and scoring twice in the half.
“First game back home, it was really exciting,” Wadsworth said. “The forwards are working hard at practice trying to slot shots in, but that goal was really rewarding.”
The second half was much the same, though up two goals and controlling the possession battle, Mississippi State settled in after scoring a third goal within the first five minutes of the final period.
Even in cruise control, Northwestern State found no holes in the Mississippi
State defense as its one total shot was the second-fewest shots allowed in one match in MSU program history.
“We knew we were going to have more of the ball,” Armstrong said. “We knew we were going to have to be patient in possession and find the right times. … I thought the girls did a good job of controlling the rhythm and tempo of the game at those right times.”
A pair of transfers in Kennedy White and Aitana Martinez-Montoya once again found their way on to the scoresheet.
White, the 2022 Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year from Bowling Green and Martinez-Montoya, a two-time Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year from Fairleigh Dickinson, have accounted for three of MSU’s five goals this season.
Impact transfers were a priority for Armstrong and the coaching staff in the offseason, and so far, that focus is paying dividends.
“It was super exciting,” White said. “I feel like we’ve worked really hard in preseason and everyone has done so well, so it was nice to see everything come together. It was nice to finally get that first goal in maroon and white.”
The non-conference slate doesn’t get much easier for the Bulldogs this weekend, facing a 3-0 FIU team that’s scored 17 goals and conceded none through its first three matches of the season.
This could be the toughest test yet for Mississippi State, but riding a hot start to 2023, the team is ready to cool down a red-hot Panthers side.
“We’ll watch the film, we’ll break it down,” Armstrong said. “The girls will have a much-needed day off today and then we’ll come back and attack it and figure out what shape we want to play, what personnel, and have a really good training session on Saturday for a really good FIU team coming in on Sunday.”
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