STARKVILLE -Mississippi State women's soccer is on the brink of history as the top-seeded Bulldogs prepare to face the fourth-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The match, set for Sunday at 5:00 p.m. CT at MSU Soccer Field, promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the nation's best. Mississippi State, enjoying the most successful season in program history, looks to continue its remarkable postseason run in front of what is expected to be another electric home crowd.
The Bulldogs have had a 2024 for the record books, compiling a 19-2-0 overall record, including a perfect 10-0-0 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Under the leadership of head coach James Armstrong, now in his sixth season, Mississippi State clinched its first-ever SEC Regular Season Championship and became just the fourth team in SEC history to post a perfect conference record. The team's successhas extended into the postseason, with the Bulldogs earning a gritty 1-0 victory over Washington in the second round on Friday. The match set a new program attendance record, drawing 4,022 fans, the largest crowd in MSU Soccer Field history and the highest-attended second-round match in the nation this year.
Mississippi State's success has been built on a foundation of defensive discipline and tactical precision. The Bulldogs have turned their home field into a fortress, boasting a 16-match unbeaten streak at MSU Soccer Field, including 14 consecutive victories dating back to last season. Incredibly, the team has not conceded a single goal at home this year, thanks in large part to the stellar play of goalkeeper Maddy Anderson. The graduate student earned SEC Goalkeeper of the Year honorsand has posted 14 shutouts this season, allowing just 0.38 goals per game. Anderson's leadership and consistency have anchored a backline that includes SEC Defender of the Year Rylie Combs, a senior whose physicality and composure have been critical to the team's success.
Midfield play has also been a key component of Mississippi State's dominance. Graduate student Macey Hodge, the SEC Midfielder of the Year, has been the team's engine, controlling the tempo and breaking up opposition attacks with relentless energy. Offensively, junior Ally Perry has been the Bulldogs' most dangerous weapon, leading the team with 10 goals and 24 points. Senior forward Aitana Martinez-Montoya has also been instrumental, contributing seven goals and five assists while providing veteran leadership. Collectively, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 45-8 this season, averaging 2.14 goals per game while conceding just 0.38 goals per game.
Their Sweet 16 opponent, Notre Dame, enters Sunday's match with a 13-3-4 record after dispatching fifth-seeded Kentucky 3-1 in the second round. The Fighting Irish wasted no time asserting their dominance in that match, scoring twice in the opening 13 minutes. Freshman standout Izzy Engle, the 2024 ACC Freshman of the Year, scored her 18th goal of the season, tying her for the sixth-most goals by a freshman in Notre Dame's storied history. The Irish also boast an attacking arsenal that has produced 53 goals this season, an average of 2.65 per game. Their offensive firepower will provide a stern test for Mississippi State's resolute defense.
Notre Dame's attack is complemented by a solid defensive unit anchored by goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica, who has recorded nine shutouts and a .754 save percentage this season. Head coach Nate Norman, in his seventh season at the helm, has guided the Irish to their third Sweet 16 appearance in the last four years, cementing their status as a perennial contender on the national stage.
Sunday's match marks the first-ever meeting between Mississippi State and Notre Dame, setting the stage for an intriguing clash of styles. The Bulldogs will rely on their defensive discipline and ability to control the midfield, while the Irish will look to capitalize on their dynamic attack and early-game intensity. Mississippi State's record when scoring first under James Armstrong is a staggering 57-1-6, underscoring the importance of a strong start.
The stakes could not be higher, as the winner will advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals to face either Arkansasor Stanford.State fans are encouraged to pack the MSU Soccer Field once again and create a raucous atmosphere as the Bulldogs aim to extend their record-breaking season.
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