Comeback bid falls short against Mississippi State

Thursday, August 23

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

2-1

Mississippi State

3-0

MSU

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Aug 23, 2018 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A strong second-half effort came up short as Memphis women's soccer dropped a 5-2 decision to Mississippi State Thursday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

The Tigers fall at 2-1 on the season while the Bulldogs improved to 3-0.

"Mississippi State is a hard-working team. I think I saw two different styles of soccer," head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "The team that worked harder and wore on their sleeve that they wanted it won the game. Credit to those guys."

Mississippi State struck early when Brooke McKee found the back of the net off a Zakirah McGillivary cross 1:30 into the game and secure a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Memphis found a pair of opportunities to start the second half, but a missed shot kept the Tigers off the scoreboard.

The Bulldogs hushed the Tiger attack and built a 3-0 lead after a pair of goals before Memphis began a rally.

Junior Jessica Lisi put Memphis on the board in the 60^th minute. Juniors Serena Dolan and Stasia Mallin connected on passes and played a ball into the middle of the box, which Lisi connected on for her second goal of the season.

Five minutes later the Tigers struck again off a free kick. From the top of the box, Mallin fired the ball into the top right corner of the net to trim the deficit to 3-2.

Mississippi State silenced the comeback bid and regained control after a goal on a penalty kick increased the Bulldog advantage to 4-2 in the 75^th minute. Mississippi State added a goal in the 81^st minute on a breakaway to set the 5-2 final.

"I was proud of moments where we fought back to make it 3-2. It's early," Monaghan added. "Tonight we just got beat. We have to work and fix some things."

The Tigers embark on a six-match road swing, beginning next Thursday at UAB. Kickoff against the Blazers is set for 7 p.m.