WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Mississippi State soccer wrapped up its first road trip of the season on Sunday, losing 2-1 at Wake Forest just three days after a 2-0 win at UNC Charlotte. The match was the first defeat of the season for the Bulldogs, as well as the first time they conceded a goal this season. 

Goalkeeper Maddy Anderson saw her three-game shutout streak end just two minutes into the match with Abbie Colton striking early for the Demon Deacons. Anderson attacked a Wake Forest corner kick but only managed to swat it away, with the ball landing at Colton’s feet near the back post. She fired a low shot and scored through the crowd of players to give her team a 1-0 lead. 

The Bulldogs had to fight to keep the game in reach, with the hosts outshooting them on the day. There were chances for an immediate response in the first ten minutes with both Ilana Izquierdo and Aitana Martinez-Montoya firing near-misses. They struggled to attain the same control that they had in their three previous matches but found an equalizer in the 41st minute. Freshman Kara Harris calmly finished a shot past the keeper after Chelsea Wagner sent her through on goal, a first goal and first assist in maroon for the pair, respectively. 

The Bulldogs had some opportunities in the second half, but it belonged to the hosts. After a tough half of back and forth, the Deacons found a winner through Nikayla Small, who scored an impressive volley from the edge of the box with just six minutes left to play. 

Wake Forest, now 3-0-1, are unlikely to stay unranked for long. The Bulldogs, 3-1-0 after their first defeat of the season, return home for a pair of home matches against Tennessee Tech on Thursday and South Alabama on Monday.