The game of soccer is both a beautiful and cruel one, and on Sunday afternoon in Stanford, California, it was a cruel one for Mississippi State.
As the 11th minute of play came about at Maloney Field at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, Stanford had a corner headed off the crossbar, only for that shot to redirect back into the box, right to the head of Elise Evans.
Her header found its way to the back of the net, past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maddy Anderson for what ended up being the lone goal of the match.
Despite better chances in the second half, the Bulldogs’ program-defining postseason run came to a close in the Sweet 16, a 1-0 loss to the Cardinal.
Stanford came into Sunday’s match unbeaten on the year, a 17-0-4 record with just two losses over its last two seasons and six one-goal wins just this season, including three 1-0 wins.
Those close-match tactics came up massively against the Bulldogs (12-5-6), whose offensive attack was unable to gain any momentum against a strong Stanford (18-0-4) press.
Mississippi State managed just two total shots and only one shot on goal in the first half, compared to eight and four, respectively, by the Cardinal, but the second half showcased a much tighter match overall, one more indicative of the final score.
Despite conceding a goal, Bulldogs goalkeeper Maddy Anderson played well between the sticks, recording three saves on the afternoon.
Stanford remained dominant overall with 15 shots, four shots on goal and six corners.
The Cardinal advance to host No. 5 Nebraska in the Elite Eight, while the best season in MSU history officially comes to a close.
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