BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - Sariyah Bailey scored in the 32nd minute to write the story of LSU's victory, slotting home her goal before a crowd of 1,353 at Tiger Stadium, propelling the Tigers to a 3-1 win over #8 Mississippi State and extending their winning streak to four games.
The early breakthrough gave LSU control for what became an intense defensive battle, with Bailey's 32nd-minute strike coming on the back of a beautifully weighted through ball from Gadea Blanco González and a clever layoff from Ida Hermannsdottir. Mississippi State pushed hard for an equalizer but LSU's defense held firm, marshaling their forces to deny the Bulldogs any clear opportunities.
In the 29th minute, the Tigers continued to control the tempo, with Hermannsdottir doubled the lead in the 29th minute. The Icelandic forward's precise finish was a testament to LSU's attacking prowess, and the Tigers went into halftime with a 2-0 advantage. Mississippi State scored in the 17th minute when Ava Galligan found the net, but it was not enough to change the complexion of the game.
LSU continued their dominance in the second half, with Bailey scoring her second goal of the match in the 78th minute, assisted by Hermannsdottir's pinpoint cross. Tatum Borman added a goal for LSU, but Mississippi State scored a consolation goal, making the final score 3-1. The Tigers' victory was built on their defensive solidity, with the team making crucial saves and blocks to deny the Bulldogs any real hope of a comeback.
Statistics show a closely contested match in terms of shot attempts, with both teams recording 11 shots. However, LSU held a commanding 6-3 advantage in shots on target, demonstrating LSU's attacking superiority on the day. Mississippi State, on the other hand, managed six corner kicks to LSU's none, but failed to capitalize on their set-piece opportunities.
The victory strengthens LSU's position as a top contender in the conference, with a 13-5-3 record and a 5-2-3 conference record. The four-game winning streak reflects their improving form. For Mississippi State, the loss is a setback, but they remain in contention with a 12-6-1 record. They will look to bounce back against their next opponent.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for both teams. LSU will face a tough test against Alabama next, while Mississippi State will look to regroup against Vanderbilt.
The afternoon belonged to LSU—and specifically to Sariyah Bailey, who epitomized the Tigers' attacking threat with her precise finishing and intelligent movement. Bailey's two goals highlighted LSU's strong team performance, and she will look to continue her form against Alabama.
LSU's defense was equally strong, with goalkeeper Olivia Diluzio making key saves to limit Mississippi State's opportunities. The team's backline, marshaled by captain Emily Alvarado, was solid throughout, making key interceptions and blocks to stifle the Bulldogs' attacks.
LSU's midfield, led by Mollee Swift, controlled the tempo of the game, dictating the flow of play and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Swift's distribution was key to LSU's attacking play, and she played a crucial role in the Tigers' victory.
The victory demonstrated LSU's strength and depth, with the team showing their ability to adapt to different opponents and situations.
Mississippi State will look to regroup after the loss, but they will look to regroup and bounce back against Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs will need to address their defensive issues and improve their finishing if they are to challenge for a top spot in the conference.
The Bulldogs' best chance came in the 17th minute when Ava Galligan scored, but it was not enough to change the complexion of the game.
Key Players:
Sariyah Bailey (LSU) – The match-winner showed precise finishing and intelligent movement, slotting home two crucial goals that sealed the victory for the Tigers.
Ida Hermannsdottir (LSU) – Controlled play with precise distribution and clever movement, creating numerous scoring opportunities for her teammates.
Gadea Blanco González (LSU) – Weighted a beautiful through ball that led to Sariyah Bailey's opening goal, showcasing her exceptional vision and technique.
Ava Galligan (Mississippi State) – Scored the Bulldogs' consolation goal, showing her quality as a finisher and providing a glimmer of hope in a difficult afternoon.