Texas soccer looked for any spark to its 2025 season in its home Southeastern Conference opener against No. 12 Mississippi State. However, any chance of a spark fizzled out quickly with the Longhorns falling to the Bulldogs 3-0.
Not much separated the two teams through the first 45 minutes, as the game headed into halftime with zeroes on the scoreboard. Neither team was able to create any real danger to the opposing goalkeepers, with not a single shot on goal. The Longhorns recorded only one shot, while the Bulldogs ended with two.
This performance was unusual for Mississippi State, considering its performance so far this season. The Bulldogs have struck gold in the first half for most games, scoring five first-half goals in their nine games. On the other hand, the Longhorns managed to turn one of their biggest weaknesses into a strength by holding one of the top teams in the SEC at bay. The Longhorns have conceded seven first-half goals throughout their start to the season.
The second half was a night-and-day difference from the first 45 minutes. Mississippi State proved to be too much for Texas, scoring three unanswered goals.
Breaking the 0-0 deadlock happened at the 57th minute, as Bulldogs senior midfielder Ally Perry took a shot from outside the box. The rocket strike made its way to the upper right side of the goal, out of the reach of Texas’ freshman goalkeeper Mateya Dessieux. Perry’s goal was her fourth of the season, making her the current leading goalscorer for the Bulldogs.
Freshman midfielder Laila Murillo gave a significant performance against Texas, scoring the second goal for Mississippi off a cross from sophomore midfielder Kara Harris. Inside the box, Murillo hit the ball across the face of the goal until it found the back of the net.
Only a few minutes later, Murillo scored her second goal of the night in a similar situation to the first, slotting home a cross from freshman midfielder Tatum Borman inside the box after a few bounces to seal herself a brace.
The Longhorns will not have much time to dwell and hang their heads after their third consecutive loss, as Texas hits the road to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide this Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
