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HomeSportsAPSU Women's Soccer falls at Mississippi State, 4-0

APSU Women’s Soccer falls at Mississippi State, 4-0

APSU Sports Information

APSU Soccer - Austin Peay State UniversityStarkville, MS – Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s soccer team could not overcome Mississippi State, succumbing 4-0, Sunday, at the MSU Soccer Field.

The Govs (3-2) were attempting to beat a Southeastern Conference opponent for the first time in program history, but the Bulldogs (6-0) got off to a flying start.

Austin Peay Women's Soccer unable to be on track against Mississippi State Sunday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Women’s Soccer unable to be on track against Mississippi State Sunday. (APSU Sports Information)

Zakirah McGillivary picked up the ball on the right side and cut it on her left foot and fired past Mary Parker Powell from just outside the box to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute.

The Bulldogs continued to pile on the pressure, but the Govs stayed resilient over the next 15 minutes. Jennifer Smith had the first shot for the Govs, having a strike from about 25 yards out that barely went over the goal.

Just as the Govs started to grow into the game, McGillivary was sent through 1v1 and finished coolly into the corner to double the lead for Mississippi State.

Things got worse for the Govs as the Bulldogs counter-attacked after a couple shots were blocked for the Govs and Gabriella Coleman made it 3-0 shortly before halftime.

Austin Peay played better attacking-wise in the second half, as they had to press to try and get back into the game. Brice Bement had the first shot of the half in less than three minutes, but it went high. Claire Larose also forced a save out of the Bulldog goalkeeper.

The game slowed a little before MaKayla Waldner wrapped up the scoring with a goal from short-range in the 71st minute. There were no real scoring threats for either side the rest of the match.

The Govs return to action, Friday, with a road match against Mercer.

APSU Notably

Head coach Naomi Kolarova has used a different starting lineup in every match this season

Despite the different lineups, the backline of Powell, Smith, Abby Therrell, Caroline Wistrom, and Renee Semaan have started every game

Larose, Morgan Drawdy, and Katie Costantino are the others to have started every game for the Govs

The match was the first meeting between the Govs and the Bulldogs

Smith has now played the most minutes for the Govs this season

 

Naomi Kolarova’s Thoughts

On the opposition:
“We knew we were going to be up against stronger and faster players today, but we wanted to prove to ourselves that we could fight for 90 minutes, no matter which way the game was going or who our opponents were.”

On the match overall:
“We talked about being disciplined, playing tight defensively, and not allowing Mississippi State to play it around us. We aimed to frustrate them and force the long ball. I thought we did that for a majority of the game and we won most of those long balls in the air. The girls showed character today and this group is full of amazing young ladies that are willing to work hard and give 100 percent.”

On her team this weekend:
“I could not be more proud of our team this weekend. No matter the score, temperature, field, or odds, these girls will not give up. Despite the two results that did not go our way, with this attitude we will find plenty more wins and I’m excited to see these ladies have success deeper into the season.”

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