Mississippi State Stuns No. 10 Wake Forest 2-1 Behind Perry's Heroics Bulldogs overcome early deficit with dominant attacking display to hand ranked Demon Deacons season-opening defeat
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Mississippi State delivered a statement performance on Sunday, overcoming a first-half deficit to defeat 10th-ranked Wake Forest 2-1 in a thrilling season opener that showcased the Bulldogs' attacking prowess and tactical resilience.
The match began with Mississippi State asserting early control, outshooting the Demon Deacons 8-3 in the opening 45 minutes. The Bulldogs' persistence paid off in the 33rd minute when Kara Harris found the back of the net following excellent build-up play. Ally Perry initiated the sequence with a shot that forced Wake Forest goalkeeper Valentina Amaral into a diving save, before Kennedy Husbands' quick thinking set up Harris for the breakthrough goal.
Wake Forest's response was swift and clinical. Just seven minutes later, Allie Flanagan capitalized on her opportunity, firing home an unassisted equalizer in the 40th minute to level the contest at 1-1 heading into the break. The goal showcased the Demon Deacons' ability to create chances even when under pressure, with Flanagan's strike representing one of only four shots on target for the hosts.
The second half belonged to Mississippi State, with the Bulldogs generating sustained pressure through their midfield orchestrator Perry. The dynamic midfielder was everywhere, contributing eight shots – more than half of her team's total – while creating numerous opportunities for teammates. Her relentless attacking approach finally bore fruit in the 70th minute when she struck the decisive goal unassisted, capping off a dominant individual performance.
Wake Forest's tactical adjustments in the second half saw increased involvement from defender Addison Roberts, who pushed forward to register two shots as the Demon Deacons searched for an equalizer. The home side's desperation was evident in their late-game approach, with Sierra Sythe joining the attack and forcing Mississippi State goalkeeper Sarah Wommack into a crucial save in the 89th minute.
The statistical narrative tells the story of Mississippi State's superiority. The Bulldogs registered 15 shots to Wake Forest's 12, while maintaining better accuracy with seven shots on target compared to the hosts' five. Mississippi State's corner kick advantage (5-3) demonstrated their territorial dominance, particularly in the second half when they earned four set pieces.
Wake Forest's disciplinary issues also contributed to their downfall, with the Demon Deacons committing eight fouls compared to Mississippi State's more controlled approach. Hannah Johnson's yellow card in the second half epitomized the home side's frustration as they struggled to contain the Bulldogs' fluid attacking movement.
The victory represents a significant scalp for Mississippi State, defeating a ranked opponent on the road to open their campaign. The Bulldogs' tactical flexibility was evident in their personnel management, with head coach utilizing 18 players compared to Wake Forest's 17, demonstrating superior squad depth and strategic rotation.
For Wake Forest, the defeat serves as an early wake-up call in what promises to be a challenging season. The Demon Deacons' inability to convert territorial possession into clear-cut chances will be a concern, particularly against a Mississippi State side that showed clinical finishing when opportunities arose.
The result sets up both programs for intriguing trajectories as the season progresses, with Mississippi State gaining valuable confidence from their upset victory while Wake Forest must regroup quickly to justify their preseason ranking.
Key Players
- Ally Perry (Mississippi State) – Dominated the midfield with 8 shots, 4 on target, 1 goal, and 1 assist in a complete box-to-box performance
- Kara Harris (Mississippi State) – Opened the scoring with composed finishing and provided the attacking spark with 2 shots
- Allie Flanagan (Wake Forest) – Lone bright spot for the Demon Deacons with the equalizing goal and team-high 2 shots