Soccer Falls to Mississippi State, 3-2

Friday, October 12

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7:00 p.m

Alabama

7-6-2, 2-5-2

Mississippi State

8-7-1, 1-7-1

Mississippi State

Alabama

Soccer Falls to Mississippi State, 3-2

10/12/2012 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 12, 2012

Box Score | Photo Gallery

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team gave up the go-ahead goal with less than two minutes remaining to drop a heartbreaker to Mississippi State, 3-2, at the Alabama Soccer Stadium Friday night in front of 712 fans.

With the loss, Alabama falls to 7-6-2 overall and 2-5-2 in Southeastern Conference play. MSU goes to 8-7-1 overall and 1-7-1 in the SEC. The loss was the third straight for the Crimson Tide, while the win snapped an eight-game winless streak for the Bulldogs.

Alabama dominated possession in the first half, but could only find the back of the net once. In the 36th minute, freshman Merel Van Dongen broke loose on a counter attack and found a streaking Pia Rijsdijk. After Rijsdijk's shot glanced off the back post, senior Lindsey Sillers pounced on the rebound, punching it in for her second goal of the year.

Alabama began the second half pushing for their second goal of the game, but could only watch as MSU struck for two goals in just under four minutes late in the match to take the lead. MSU broke on a counter attack to tie things up in the 75th minute, and then took the lead in the 78th minute to put the Bulldogs up 2-1, setting up a thrilling finish.

The Tide struck back quickly, as Rijsdijk tapped in a corner kick that rolled across the goal mouth to tie the game at 2-2 in the 82nd minute. It was Rijsdijk's sixth goal of the year. The tie would not stand though, as MSU gained a free kick in the Alabama half, and after a scramble in the box, a loose ball found Elisabeth Sullivan, who scored in the 88th minute.

Rijsdijk had an opportunity to tie things up in the 90th minute, but her shot rolled wide as time ran out.

Alabama outshot MSU, 25-11, including an 11-8 advantage in shots on goal. Rijsdijk led UA with seven shots. The Tide also had a 17-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Alabama returns to action Sunday when they face 14th ranked Missouri at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.