Box Score CLINTON, Mississippi – Delta State women's soccer opened Gulf South Conference play on the road in Clinton as the Lady Statesmen took on the Choctaws of Mississippi College. DSU narrowly missed a draw, falling 2-1 to MC and dropping to a 1-3 mark overall and a 0-1 start to GSC play. Mississippi College improves to 4-1 on the year and 1-0 in league play.
Delta State has renewed its rivalry with the in-state foe with Mississippi College making the transition to the Gulf South. This marked the third meeting all-time between the two squads with Mississippi College winning both contests in 2009 and 2013. A much-improved squad from the previous year, Delta State bounced back from a 4-1 loss in the last season's meeting to take a tough but close 2-1 loss to the same squad just one year later.
An early save from
Katie Swaine in the first two minutes play kept the Choctaws off the board but only for a little while. At the 5:52 mark, MC's Sayit Mejia Bello struck first to give the Choctaws an early 1-0 lead. The score stood until the half.
MC scored first in the first five minutes of the first half as well as the second half when Melanie Benner opened up second half play with her fourth goal of the season, providing Mississippi College with the commanding 2-0 lead.
The Lady Statesmen did not go quietly. DSU was able to reach within one goal when
Tabitha Hayden scored the first tally on an assist by
Tais Cotta to put Delta State on the board with 20 minutes left in the game.
A strong offensive attack was launched by DSU, but the Green-and-White came up short, falling to Mississippi College by a final of 2-1.
DSU placed 6-of-10 shots on frame, while MC took the advantage with 9-of-12. Hayden led the way with three shots, with
Kailey Bryan and
Lakyn Cryder firing two shots on goal and
Tais Cotta taking one shot.
Swaine had an impressive day in-goal for Delta State, seizing seven saves on twelve shots faced.
The Green-and-White are back on the road on Friday, Sept. 19 in Carrollton, Georgia. DSU will face off with GSC opponent West Georgia at 2:30 p.m.
