STARKVILLE, Miss. - Vanderbilt continued their impressive run of form with a commanding 5-1 victory over Mississippi State on Thursday evening at the MSU Soccer Field. The Commodores (11-3-1) controlled play throughout to hand the Bulldogs (9-4-1) their third consecutive loss.
Maci Teater opened the scoring for Vanderbilt in the 4th minute, converting an assist from Olivia Stafford. Grace Freeman doubled the advantage in the 13th minute with a well-placed strike. Sydney Watts extended the lead to 3-0 in the 35th minute off a feed from Vivian Akyirem, before Akyirem herself found the net in the 38th minute with assists from Watts and Mary Beth McLaughlin. Kyra Taylor pulled one back for Mississippi State in the 50th minute, but Courtney Jones sealed the result with Vanderbilt's fifth goal in the 78th minute.
The first half was dominated by Vanderbilt's aggressive attacking play. The Commodores registered eight shots in the opening 45 minutes, with Reagan Pentz and Maci Teater particularly active in the final third. Mississippi State struggled to contain Vanderbilt's movement, conceding four corners before halftime. The visitors' pressure resulted in multiple scoring opportunities, with Olivia Stafford and Grace Freeman consistently threatening the Bulldogs' defense.
The second half saw Mississippi State attempt to mount a comeback, with Kyra Taylor's goal providing a brief spark of hope. However, Vanderbilt's defensive organization, led by strong performances from Reagan Pentz and Sydney Watts, limited the Bulldogs to just three shots on target after the break. The Commodores maintained their composure despite yellow cards to Pentz (41st minute) and Courtney Jones (58th minute).
The final statistics reflected Vanderbilt's superiority, as they outshot Mississippi State 15-9, with nine shots on target compared to the Bulldogs' five. The Commodores also held a decisive 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Both goalkeepers recorded four saves in an active evening for the defensive units.
Individual performances highlighted Vanderbilt's depth, with six different players recording either a goal or assist. Vivian Akyirem's goal and assist demonstrated her playmaking ability, while Sydney Watts contributed at both ends of the field. For Mississippi State, Kyra Taylor's goal was a bright spot, though she later received a yellow card in the 78th minute for persistent infringement.
Tactically, Vanderbilt's high-pressing approach disrupted Mississippi State's buildup play throughout the match. The Commodores' quick transitions and efficient use of wide areas created numerous attacking opportunities, while their organized defensive shape frustrated the Bulldogs' attempts to play through the middle.
The result extends Vanderbilt's winning streak to four matches, solidifying their position as one of the SEC's form teams. For Mississippi State, the third consecutive loss raises concerns as they enter a crucial stretch of conference play.
Looking ahead, Vanderbilt returns home to face Tennessee on Sunday at 5:00 PM, while Mississippi State travels to Alabama for a 7:00 PM kickoff on Sunday, both teams seeking to build momentum in their remaining conference fixtures.