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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Matt Mott Weekly Press Conference
10/16/2017 | Soccer
Ole Miss Soccer Head Coach Matt Mott met with members of the media on Monday as part of his weekly press conference. Coach Mott recapped last Friday's SEC match at No. 20 Texas A&M and previewed this week's matches versus Auburn (7 p.m., Oxford) and at Mississippi State (4 p.m., Starkville).
Opening Statement...
"That was a tough game against Texas A&M for us on Friday night. We played really well and held them off for 88 minutes but gave up a goal late. I am very proud of the way the team played. We battled, it's a really tough place to play down there at A&M. They are a really good team. I was very proud of the way my team fought and battled. It was disappointing that we didn't get a result. I think a draw would have been fair, we certainly had our chances to win. We were off Saturday and Sunday but we are back to it today with two huge games this weekend. We are back to a Thursday/Sunday routine now."
On Auburn...
"We play Auburn on Thursday. They are coming off a great week for them where they beat their rival Alabama and a top-ten Florida team yesterday. I have a lot of respect for those guys. Karen Hoppa was my mentor for 11 years so, obviously, I think she's a pretty darn good coach. She has her team ready and they are playing great at the right time of year. That will be a difficult game for us on Thursday, but one our girls are defiantly looking forward to."
On Mississippi State...
"Then we turn around and battle for the Magnolia cup in a big game down in Starkville, which is always a tough place to play. They have a new coaching staff that has them playing at a very high level and doing a lot of things really well. I think they are doing a great job all over the field. It will be another tough task for us on Sunday. But, again, I like where our team is. We are motivated and understand we have three big games left, two at home and one down in Starkville. So, we are certainly motivated for Thursday night and to get back to it."
On the Contributions of Mary Kate Smith...
"She is just a dream. She has done such a great job coming in January and had a great spring, rolling it right into the fall as one of our starting midfielders. She is really fast and I thought she set up the game-winner the other night at A&M and we just missed it wide. She's been great all season and has really grown into her role. MK understands the level of competition and she's up for it. She is one of the best midfielders in the league quite honestly at right midfielder. She gets by players and is great in possession. As a player on the team, you could not ask for any more than a great student who does everything we ask and works her tail off. She has been great for us."
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter at @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coach Matt Mott on Twitter at @CoachMattMott. Additionally fans can get a behind the scenes look at Ole Miss Athletics on Snapchat under the handle, @WeAreOleMiss.