Mississippi State Opens Six-Game Homestand Against Arkansas State

Mississippi State soccer will host Arkansas State on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT in a match broadcast on SEC Network+. The Bulldogs are coming off a 2-0-0 opening week, with wins over South Alabama and UAB. Hailey Johnson scored in both matches, and MSU has yet to trail in 2026, outshooting opponents 32-9 this season, according to school officials.

State leads the nation in corners per game, averaging 12.50 through two matches. The Bulldogs have posted double-digit corner kicks in both games while allowing no more than four in either. Gates open an hour before kickoff, and students attending can claim raffle tickets for prizes, including a signed mini soccer ball from head coach Kevin O’Brien.

O’Brien’s team has led for most of the season, having played 168 minutes of a possible 180. The Bulldogs scored in the fifth and seventh minutes of their first two matches. Kati Anne Shepherd, just 17 years old, became the youngest scorer in program history when she netted MSU’s first goal of the season after reclassifying early to join the team.

This will be the first time O’Brien faces Arkansas State, a team he previously defeated with Lipscomb in 2017. The Red Wolves are 0-2-0 this season, having lost to MSU and Little Rock. Despite not leading in either match, Arkansas State ranks among the top five in the Sun Belt in shots on goal per game and shot percentage, according to team statistics.

Mississippi State will remain at home Sunday for a 6 p.m. matchup against Southern Miss, also televised on SEC Network+. The Bulldogs continue their season with a strong start and look to extend their winning streak against Arkansas State.

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