Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Mississippi State (9-3-4, 4-2-2 SEC) is set to begin the first of two road matches to end the regular season when they face Alabama (10-3-4, 4-3-1 SEC) on Sunday. The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide are two of the best in the SEC West and are looking to gain an all-important three points in the standings as the season winds to a close.
The Bulldogs have enjoyed a successful October so far and one that has been historic for State. The month began with a road trip to Gainesville where MSU captured their first win in the Swamp in program history, 1-0. Three days later, State captured the Magnolia Cup from Ole Miss for the fourth-straight season in front of the second-largest crowd in program history. After a week off, the Bulldogs returned to the pitch for a matchup in Lexington with the unbeaten and then ranked 18th Kentucky Wildcats. State secured yet another win and captured their second win over a top-20 opponent on the road. MSU was named the NCAA Women’s Soccer Team of the Week following their win in Lexington. Thursday’s draw with Vanderbilt kept the Bulldogs unbeaten in the last month of the regular season as they carry the second-longest active streak in the SEC.
Earlier this week, the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Committee unveiled its midseason rankings of the top 16 teams. Using results through games on October 17, Mississippi State Soccer secured the 15th spot in the committee rankings, with an impressive record of 9-3-4. The Bulldogs have demonstrated their resilience throughout the season, earning a well-deserved position among the top teams in the country.
On the other side of the pitch, the Tide is currently positioned at No. 16 in the national rankings according to the United Soccer Coaches poll for the week. Alabama has maintained a consistent presence in the top 25 of these national rankings for 20 consecutive polls, starting with their first appearance in the organization’s third poll of the 2022 season on September 6. Following their initial entry, the team quickly climbed into the top 15 in the subsequent week, specifically on September 13, 2022. The program held its ground in the top 15 for an impressive 16 consecutive rankings, spanning from September 13, 2022, to September 26, 2023, which even included the preseason list for 2023.
The Crimson Tide has faced a formidable lineup of opponents this season, having encountered six teams with a top-40 RPI (Rating Percentage Index). These opponents include North Carolina at No. 2, Arkansas at No. 10, Memphis at No. 13, Georgia at No. 18, Kentucky at No. 32, and LSU at No. 40. Currently, Alabama holds the 14th position in the RPI.
An outstanding record stands as a testament to Alabama’s home performance, as the team has not suffered a loss at home since September 12, 2021. The Tide boasts an impressive unbeaten home record of 28 games, winning 25 of those matches, with a remarkable 22-game winning streak marking the beginning of this exceptional run.
State and Bama are slated for a 6 PM CT kick and will be streamed on SEC Network + for those who are unable to travel up Highway 82 for the cross-state matchup.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women’s soccer on X, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for “HailStateSoc.”
– HailState.com –
