University of Georgia
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Mississippi State
Soccer Earns Shutout Against Miss. St.
October 09, 2015 | Soccer
Oct. 9, 2015
ATHENS, Ga.--An imposing defensive performance from Georgia held Mississippi State (3-7-3, 1-3-2) scoreless in UGA's 2-0 victory over its SEC counterpart Friday night at the Turner Soccer Complex.
An early goal from junior forward Marion Crowder in the second minute gave Georgia (3-8-1, 2-4) a quick lead and the defense did the rest holding strong for the remaining 88 minutes. Junior Lauren Tanner added the Bulldogs' second score of the night in the 69' on a penalty kick.
Head coach Billy Lesesne was very pleased with his team's execution of the game plan.
"Time and score is always an issue and getting an early goal gives you a lot of confidence," Lesesne said. "It also allowed our defense to really settle in. We had been preaching getting off to a good start and getting that first goal, that gave us a lot of confidence. The other thing we talked about was winning both halves. To score another goal in the second-half to win both halves was a big thing for us."
1:53 into the game defender Bria Washington played a cross to the far side of the box to a streaking Marion Crowder. Despite being her short stature, Crowder leapt above the defense and headed in her third goal of the season.
Georgia's defense played a large role in the victory causing Mississippi State troubles every time they got near the goal. Several times the ball was sent into the box only to be cleared by a number of Bulldog defenders.
In the 69' Mississippi State fouled Lauren Tanner in the box and the upperclassman instantly called her own number to take the penalty kick. Tanner didn't disappoint, firing a ball into the bottom left corner of the net giving Georgia a 2-0 lead and the security goal it was looking for. The Bulldogs outlasted Mississippi State for the remaining 21 minutes to earn their third shutout of the season.
Georgia outshot Mississippi State 13 to 12 overall. Goalkeeper Louise Hogrell finished the contest with four saves.
The Bulldogs are back on the road on Sunday when the team travels to Columbia, Missouri to take on the Missouri Tigers at 2 p.m. ET.
