Ole Miss Soccer Opens SEC Play Against Mississippi State
Ole Miss soccer will begin Southeastern Conference play Friday against in-state rival Mississippi State at Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.
The Rebels enter the matchup with a 7-1-0 record after earning a 1-0 victory over Belmont on Sunday. Ava Ghoreishi scored the only goal in that match, helping Ole Miss extend its winning streak to three games. The team has recorded six shutouts through its first eight matches, the most since 2017.
Ole Miss has outscored opponents 11-4 this season, holding opponents to an average of 0.50 goals per game. The Rebels also dominate in shots, with a 120-55 advantage overall and a 44-17 edge in shots on goal. Eight different players have scored this season, led by Ghoreishi, who has two game-winning goals.
In goal, Taylor Prigge maintains a 6-1-0 record with a 0.57 goals-against average, a .750 save percentage and four shutouts. The team’s defense has allowed just four goals all season, and they have not conceded a goal in the last 270 minutes of play.
This season marks the start of a new era for Ole Miss soccer under first-year head coach Todd Shulenberger, who was hired in December 2025. Shulenberger previously led Washington State for 11 seasons, where he became the program’s winningest coach and led the Cougars to five NCAA tournaments, including a College Cup appearance in 2019.
Mississippi State enters the game with a 6-1-0 record after winning its first six matches. The Bulldogs scored 17 goals while allowing six and have outshot opponents 127-34. Hailey Johnson leads the team with four goals and three assists, with Jenny Harrison starting all seven matches in goal, posting a 6-1 record with a 0.79 GAA.
Ole Miss finished 2025 with a 4-8-3 record, but the team returns several key players, including leading scorer Katie Ramsden, who had four goals last season. The roster features a mix of returning players, transfers—including eight from Washington State—and new freshmen. Notably, three Rebels are freshmen, and 14 transfers joined the team for 2026.
Ole Miss also has a strong transfer presence from Washington State, including eight players on the roster. Additionally, midfielder Isabella Pontieri received preseason recognition on the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List after a standout 2025 season at North Florida.
Ole Miss has five players on the SEC Preseason Watch List, including newcomers Paxton Bock, Ava Ghoreishi, Audrey Shackelford, Jenna Studer and Alena Watts. The team aims to build on its recent successes and secure its first SEC win of the season Friday night.
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