PENSACOLA, Fla. – Mississippi State soccer saw its SEC tournament run end in the semi-finals for the second year in a row on Thursday, falling 3-1 to No. 5 seed LSU.
The Bulldogs (12-6-1, 5-4-1 SEC) were on a high after upsetting the top-seeded, regular-season champions, Arkansas, in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, booking their place in the semis with goals from Rebeka Vega Peleka and Ally Perry in a 2-1 comeback win. The momentum seemingly carried into the semi-final clash with LSU, creating chances early despite falling behind 1-0 on a poorly defended lobbed pass, but disaster struck soon after.
Vega Peleka was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on an LSU forward in the box, which also led to a penalty and the Tigers doubling their advantage. A third goal just moments later left the Bulldogs down 3-0, outmanned, and still with most of the match left to play.
The Bulldogs responded with a goal just before halftime. Tatum Borman got one back, scoring her second goal of the tournament on an assist by Perry, and gave MSU life going into the break. The team came out firing in the second half, seeing multiple chances for forwards Kyra Taylor and Zoe Main, as well as two free kick opportunities for Perry, but ultimately couldn’t get another goal to put the pressure on the Tigers down the stretch.
MSU will now await the NCAA Tournament selection after the conclusion of the conference tournaments this weekend.
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