Neil Macdonald sees the similarities.
This year, though, he wants different results.
The last time the Mississippi State University women’s soccer team went undefeated in non-conference play (8-0 in 2009), it followed that fast start by going 1-8-3 in the Southeastern Conference.
Seven of the 13 freshmen who made an impact in their first season have played key roles in the second-best start in program history this season. Thanks to the contributions of nine freshmen, MSU (7-0) is one of two SEC teams (the University of Mississippi is 7-0) that is undefeated entering its league opener.
Macdonald likes the mix of upperclassmen and first-year players, and hopes it will be mentally and physically ready when MSU takes on the University of South Carolina at 6 p.m. Friday in Columbia, S.C. It will travel to Lexington, Ky., to face the University of Kentucky at noon Sunday.
The first SEC weekend begins a stretch of Friday-Sunday action that will run through October, culminating with a match against Ole Miss at 7 p.m. Oct. 25. MSU won’t have an off date from here on out, so Macdonald knows his players have to be prepared to handle the rigors of a marathon.
“This year is going to be extremely tough for all of the SEC teams,” Macdonald said. “With everybody playing everybody (and the addition of the University of Missouri and Texas A&M University) it is going to be a roller coaster ride. There is no doubt about that. It is going to be a grind. The teams that come out on top are going to be the mentally toughest teams.”
Dating back to 2005, this is the first season all of the SEC teams will begin league play at .500 or better. The 14 SEC teams have combined to win 64 non-conference matches, which matches the total of 64 the SEC’s 12 teams recorded in 2007 and in 2011. SEC teams won 65 non-league matches in 2009.
Last season, MSU went 3-7-1 in the SEC, which marked the program’s most victories in the league since 2004 when it won five and last qualified for the SEC tournament. Macdonald feels this year’s team has the potential to get back to the SEC tournament. After outscoring opponents 19-3 in the first seven matches, he feels the team is ready to step up to a faster and more physical level of play in the conference.
“We have been talking from day one about the Southeastern Conference and what it is all about,” Macdonald said. “We showed the team game film from both of the teams we’re starting with and the importance of being organized and prepared for those teams. I think our team is very focused at the moment. I think they realize they’re going to have to step up in terms of the physical play and the speed of the game.”
Still, Macdonald acknowledges it is going to be a process for a young team to adjust to a higher level of play and to handle the quick turnaround from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. He said a key will be trying to work as many players into the rotation as possible to keep players mentally and physically fresh. Five of the nine freshmen have started matches this season, paced by Honeye Heydari and Shelby Jordan, who have started all seven. Heydari also leads MSU in scoring with five goals and 14 points. Junior Elisabeth Sullivan is second with five goals and 13 points.
“I am pleased with the freshman class,” Macdonald said. “I think they have done extremely well. … I am very pleased with what they have brought to the team.”
Depth is one of the most important things the freshmen have given MSU. Macdonald said depth is a primary difference between this year’s team and the 2009 squad. For this year’s team to build on its start, Macdonald said talented upperclassmen are going to have to lead the team through the ups and downs of league action.
“We’re going to have be really mentally strong through the first few weeks of the season because it could come down to us finishing very strongly in late October,” Macdonald said. “I just think it will be a really tough SEC season for everybody. It is about being mentally strong. If you are coming off a good win, you will have to put it behind you very quickly. It is going to be the same thing with a loss.
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Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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