Mississippi State claims 2024 SEC Regular Season Championship with game to spare

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Mississippi State women’s soccer etched their name into the history books on Sunday night, clinching sole possession of the SEC Regular Season Championship with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Texas A&M.

The No. 3 Bulldogs (15-1-0, 9-0-0 SEC) were propelled by goals from Ally Perry and Elle McCaslin, along with a commanding defensive display led by goalkeeper Maddy Anderson. Head Coach James Armstrong also reached a personal milestone with the win, tying the program record for most coaching wins with 58.

The victory reflects the total team effort that has characterized the Bulldogs’ season. Mississippi State’s defense, anchored by Anderson, was crucial in navigating early challenges. The Aggies threatened in the 14th minute with a close-range attempt by Sydney Becerra, but Anderson’s quick reflexes denied the chance.

“This is an incredibly special night for our program,” said Mississippi State Head Coach James Armstrong. “To win the regular season is a testament to the determined work ethic of the players, coaches and staff. Every day they all come ready to go through the grind so for them all to be rewarded this way is very fitting.Thank you to everyone for the sacrifices they have made and the fans who have supported us all season.”

The Bulldogs created their first big chance in the 23rd minute when Aitana Martinez-Montoya found herself in a one-on-one with A&M’s Sydney Fuller. However, Fuller managed a critical save, sending the teams into halftime scoreless. Despite being outshot 6-2 in the first half, the Bulldogs would not be denied.

In the 51st minute, Texas natives Kennedy Husbands and Ally Perry connected in the attacking third to give Mississippi State a 1-0 lead. Husbands set up Perry, who took one touch to beat her defender before blasting a shot off the crossbar and into the net, tallying her team-leading ninth goal of the season.

In the 51st minute, AP gets her ninth of the year via service from Kennedy Husbands!#HailState🐶 || 📺 @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/52Pi8WaITy

— Mississippi State Soccer (@HailStateSOC) October 27, 2024

Mississippi State sealed the win with an insurance goal in the 79th minute. After a quick free-kick play, Macey Hodge found Kara Harris, who laid off the ball to freshman Elle McCaslin. With only the keeper to beat, McCaslin calmly slotted a shot with the outside of her boot into the right side of the net, marking her first goal of the season.

Anderson capped off the night with her 13th solo shutout of the season (14th combined), a remarkable feat that contributes to Mississippi State’s record-breaking 0.19 goals-against average—the best in SEC women’s soccer history since the league began sponsoring the sport in 1993. Anderson and the Bulldogs’ defense have allowed only three goals all season, firmly establishing themselves as one of the top defensive units in NCAA history.

The Bulldogs have now clinched sole possession of the Southeastern Conference as they head into the final game of the regular season. The Dawgs will head to South Carolina Wednesday as the SEC Regular Season Champions for a meeting with the South Carolina Gamecocks at 6 p.m. CT.

Poetic Justice 🤩

Elle McCaslin put the icing on the cake to seal the SEC Regular Season Title for the Dawgs! #HailState🐶 || @mccaslin_22 pic.twitter.com/3bo21vOGfG

— Mississippi State Soccer (@HailStateSOC) October 28, 2024