The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss and Mississippi State Begin New Soccer Tradition
4/1/2003 | Soccer
April 1, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - When Ole Miss and Mississippi State meet on the soccer field, it will now take on new meaning. Friday's match in Starkville will mark the inaugural playing of the Magnolia Cup, soccer's version of football's Egg Bowl, baseball's Mayor's Trophy and men's tennis' Mississippi Cup.
Game time is set for 6 p.m. CST in the battle for the traveling trophy, which will be up for grabs at each meeting between the two rivals whether during the fall or the exhibition season in the spring.
"This should begin a great tradition between our two programs," said Rebel head coach Steve Holeman. "Our games have always been very competitive, and we expect this match to be no different. We've had a productive spring, and we hope to continue it this weekend."
Ole Miss boasts a 5-3-1 all-time edge over the Bulldogs in the fall series. The Rebels have won the last two fall meetings, including a 4-1 victory in the UM 2002 regular-season finale in Starkville. Ole Miss also shut out State, 1-0, in a spring encounter last April in Oxford.
The Rebels take a 5-1 spring mark into the faceoff, while the Bulldogs are 2-2 in their offseason competition. Kelly Renie, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, has been Ole Miss' top offensive force with four goals on the season.
Friday's match, which was changed from its originally-scheduled venue in Jackson, will mark the first evening competition of any kind at MSU Soccer Field. Installation of lights was completed at the facility following the conclusion of the 2002 season.
