Mississippi St. Soccer Nets 2-1 Win, Reaches Sweet 16 For First Time

Let it be known, that Taylor James, with her first career goal off a corner kick, is what did in Brown University on Friday night in Palo Alto, Calif. The game-winning goal for the Mississippi State soccer team sent the Bulldogs in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.

Kennedy White was credited with the assist off the inbound kick, with James, a senior midfielder, spinning and connecting with the loose ball, sending it into the net. It completed a 2-1 comeback in the rain for Mississippi State, and later ignited a wild celebration.

Mississippi State, ranked sixth in the region will face the host school, No. 2 Stanford, on Sunday for a chance at the Elite 8. The match is slated for a 3 p.m. CT kick and will be streamed on ESPN+.

Neither team was able to get on the scoreboard during the physical first half, and the second half began with a crazy sequence during which the Bulldogs successfully blocked and saved four Brown shots

The Bears (12-3-2) eventually struck first: Layla Shell played a ball to the back post that Naya Cardoza was able to head in for her third goal of the season to make it 1-0.

But State was able to counter in the 69th minute. Ilana Izquierdo played a ball through the back line that found White, who sent it up and over to find the back of the net for her second goal of the season.

Seven minutes later, and the weather continuing to deteriorate, Izquierdo took the decisive corner, with White making the initial play against the swarming defense, with James connecting on the teed-up ball in midair.

It was the 27th game of her career.

Mississippi State was one of six SEC teams to be playing in the Round of 32, however, Georgia was the only other league team to win and reach the Sweet 16. Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina and Texas A&M were all eliminated.

Mississippi State Soccer Tops Providence, Advances in NCAA Tournament

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