Program announces 25th season all-time team
As it prepares to celebrate its 25th season, the Mississippi State soccer program has selected an all-time team featuring 20 student-athletes spanning every year of the program.
Preference was given to student-athletes who had played a minimum of two season with the Bulldogs and left a lasting impact on the program’s record book. Eleven “starters” were chosen using a common 3-4-3 formation. Three additional forwards and a pair of midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers make up the “reserves.”
The roster includes eight school record holders that combine to hold the top mark in 35 statistical categories. Eight of the 20 student-athletes reached the postseason during their MSU careers.
State’s all-time scoring leader and first NWSL Draft pick, Elisabeth Sullivan, highlights a crop forwards that also includes Mallory Eubanks, who was also drafted and has played with the U.S. U-23 National Team, and Betty Ann Casey. The reserve forwards are Jessi Moore, Amy Van Zandt and Makayla Waldner, the only current student-athlete on the roster.
Arguably the face of Bulldog soccer in its first four years, Meredith Riekert leads the midfielders that include Treena Ferguson, April Berry and Carly Mauldin in the starting lineup. Angie Delage and Annemarie Pimentel make up the midfield options off the bench.
Some of the most consistent players in program history make up the back line, including career minutes and games leader, Morgan Mcdonald, who started each of State’s Southeastern Conference Tournament matches. Bethany Frazier and Morganne Grimes are second in school history in games started and minutes, respectively. Shannen Jainudeen, who saw time with the Canadian U-17 National Team, and Courtney Robicheaux round out the defenders.
The goalkeeping trio is made up of Taryn Holland, Skylar Rosson and Jennifer Croisant. Holland earned the starter nod by virtue of her MSU career records in saves, games played and games started.
Throughout the season, the Bulldogs will recognize each member of the all-time team with a feature story on Hailstate.com beginning on Aug. 13.
In other soccer news, Georgia Southern has canceled its preseason soccer exhibition with Mississippi State that was originally slated for Aug. 15 at 2 p.m.
Instead, the Bulldogs will travel to Hattiesburg to meet the defending NAIA Champions William Carey. The Lady Crusaders went 21-3, including a perfect 8-0, run through their conference a year ago, and head coach Danny Owens was chosen the NAIA National Coach of the Year.
The Bulldogs and Lady Crusaders will play on Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. in Hattiesburg. State then hosts Southern Miss on Aug. 17 for its final preseason games before opening the regular season on Aug. 22 at home against Alabama A&M.