PENSACOLA, Fla. — Mississippi State senior goalkeeper Maddy Anderson looked around for a split second following No. 24 Alabama’s fourth penalty try during Thursday night’s SEC Tournament quarterfinal match.
After not initially reacting following Gianna Paul’s attempt, a shot wide left of goal, Anderson quickly realized that the 18th-ranked Bulldogs had just clinched a spot in the semifinals for the first time in program history.
The ensuing celebration was one that felt like decades in the making as the most successful team so far in program history continues to set new benchmarks for the future.
Alabama dominated the match, but in the end, Mississippi State prevailed with a 1-1 (2-0 p) win, its second win against the Tide this season.
The Bulldogs (10-4-5) rode the hot hand of Anderson in net, who made eight fantastic saves against an unrelenting Alabama (11-4-5) attack, one that more than doubled MSU in total shots in the match, 20-8.
Despite constant pressure on Mississippi State’s side of the field, including a 24th minute goal off a scrum created after an Anderson save off an Alabama free kick just outside the 18-yard box, the Bulldogs found life in the 55th minute.
An Alabama handball inside the box resulted in a penalty, which Aitana Martinez-Montoya converted from the spot, her second goal against the Tide this season.
The score remained 1-1 through regulation and two overtime periods before penalties in Pensacola. Once again Martinez-Montoya came up clutch, converting to put MSU up 1-0 early.
Mississippi State converted two of three penalties, while Alabama, first denied by Anderson once again, missed the goal completely on its next three attempts, an 0-for-4 showing.
Through the cold and wind and nearly four hours of soccer, the Bulldogs are in the semis, set to play No. 10 Arkansas for the second time in three matches.
The Razorbacks prevailed a week ago in Fayetteville, 1-0, but Mississippi State is looking to flip the script to play for a chance at a SEC Tournament title on Sunday.
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