State soccer advances to second-straight Sweet 16 in NCAA Tournament

Per MSU Athletic Communications

On a brisk night in Starkville, the Mississippi State delivered yet another historic performance, defeating Washington 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. With a record-breaking crowd of 4,022 on hand—the largest in program history and the top attendance in the nation for a second-round match—the Bulldogs (19-2-0) punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season.

The energy at the MSU Soccer Field was palpable from the opening whistle. Fans clad in maroon and white packed the stands, undeterred by the cold, to witness what has become a defining season for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs showed no signs of surrender as they battled a disciplined Washington team in a tightly contested and physical matchup.

Mississippi State wasted no time putting the pressure on the Huskies. Early in the first half, Kennedy Husbands chased down a through ball that looked destined for open space. As Husbands closed in, Washington defender Tatum Thomason committed a foul to prevent a potential breakaway. On the ensuing free kick, Aitana Martinez-Montoya delivered a strong strike that was deflected out for a corner. While the corner kick sailed long, Husbands kept the play alive, collecting the loose ball and firing a shot that forced Washington goalkeeper Mia Hamant into a diving save.

Despite Washington’s attempts to break free with quick counterattacks, the Bulldogs controlled possession for much of the first 45 minutes. Husbands continued to create opportunities, including a shot in the 29th minute that sailed wide but injected energy into the team and the crowd. Moments later, Husbands sent a dangerous cross into the box, but the ball eluded multiple MSU players who were in position to capitalize.

As the half wore on, Ally Perry stepped into a more central role in the attack. In the 36th minute, she created her own shot, but Hamant made another save to keep the match scoreless. Just minutes later, Perry orchestrated a well-timed pass to Chelsea Wagner, whose shot was also denied by Hamant. Martinez-Montoya followed up with a chance of her own, but she couldn’t get clean contact on the ball.

While the Bulldogs entered halftime without a goal, their late-half flurry of chances suggested that momentum was shifting. Statistically, the match was evenly contested through 45 minutes, with both teams registering eight shots, four corner kicks and six fouls.

The second half began much like the first, with State dictating the pace of play and Washington looking to spring counterattacks. The Huskies managed a few promising run-outs, but the Bulldogs’ defensive line quickly neutralized those threats. Maddy Anderson, steady as ever in goal, made a pair of crucial saves to keep the Huskies at bay.

Then came the breakthrough. In the 72nd minute, after weathering a strong Washington attack that included consecutive saves by Anderson, the Bulldogs launched a counterattack of their own. Hannah Johnson lofted a perfectly placed long ball into open space, and Zoe Main sprinted past her defender to meet it. With the record crowd on its feet, Main calmly slotted the ball past Hamant and into the back of the net. The largest crowd in MSU Soccer Field history erupted as the Bulldogs seized a 1-0 lead which proved to be the game-winner.

The Bulldogs nearly added an insurance goal in the 81st minute when Perry worked her way into the box, shaking off a defender and firing a shot just wide of the post. As the minutes dwindled, the tension on the field escalated. In the 88th minute, Washington’s Kolo Suliafu received her second yellow card, leaving the Huskies to play the final stretch with just 10 players.

As the final whistle blew, the Bulldogs celebrated their 15th shutout of the season. Mississippi State outshot Washington 17-12, held a 7-6 advantage in corners, and matched the Huskies in physicality with 12 fouls apiece.

With the win, Mississippi State advances to face Notre Dame in the Sweet 16. The Bulldogs will host the Fighting Irish at the MSU Soccer Field on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m. CT.

Notre Dame earned its spot in the third round with a 3-1 victory over Kentucky earlier in the day. Tickets are available now at HailState.com/tickets, and fans are encouraged to pack the stands once again as the Bulldogs continue their historic postseason run.

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Quoting Head Coach James Armstrong:

JA: “Obviously, a great result against a really, really good side. All credit to Washington. I thought they were really, really good tonight and gave us everything that they had. e girls did what they did all season – found a way, you know, in front of an unreal crowd over 4,000 people ringing their cowbells. at’s what made the difference. We talked about it before – and I’m sure these girls will mention it – but an incredible atmosphere on an incredible night against a really, really great opponent. We’re looking forward to Sunday and once again, being able to play on our home field. It’s something that we treasure and something we look forward to all season, so I’m really proud of the girls. We felt that it was going to be a game that was won in transition – on either side. ey were good in transition. We’re obviously good in transition and all credit to Zoe [Main] with an unbelievably-composed finish, which at the end of the day was the difference. On both sides of the ball, tremendous and so, so, so proud of the girls and the fan base tonight coming out in full force.” 

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Quoting Hannah Johnson: 
On Playing In Front Of A Record Crowd

HJ: “I mean, just hearing the cowbells ring all around the stadium, it’s not like anything else. I’ve never experienced it, and truly tonight was a night where I was like, ‘Wow, we’ve done it. This is insane.’ I’ve been here for four years, and we’ve never had that kind of a crowd. Just having people come out and support us, it means everything to us. Really, I think that was what helped us get through this game and win, honestly.” 

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Quoting Zoe Main: 
On The Breakaway Goal

ZM: “Honestly, right when I looked back and I saw all the space, I knew if Hannah [Johnson] played it, it was going to be all up to me just passing it in. I was just like, ‘Please make it. Don’t miss.’ But when it went in, it was so exciting. It’s such a great moment with all the fans and everything. But I couldn’t do it without them.”