Rebels Rout Alabama State, 8-0, in Season Opener

Aug. 18, 2017

OXFORD, Miss. - Head coach Matthew Mott described his team as fast all preseason. It showed Friday night as Ole Miss soccer exploded for eight goals to dominate Alabama State, 8-0, in the season opener.

In all, six different players found the net including four newcomers. Junior CeCe Kizer got off to a great start with a hat trick in the first 30 minutes, while sophomore Alley Houghton pitched in with four assists to help lead the offensive attack.

Within four minutes, Ole Miss had the lead after freshman Chanel Thomas found Kizer, who struck with her left foot at the 3:57 mark. From there the two sides played scoreless for 27 minutes, before Kizer found her rhythm again. Within 22 seconds, it was quickly a 3-0 contest after Alley Houghton connected with her twice - once from the 18-yard box and another from about eight yards out - to secure the hat trick only 30 minutes in.

Two minutes later, at the 32:08 mark, freshman Grace Johnson received a beautiful corner from senior Bella Fiorenzo, heading it in for her first career goal making the score 4-0. That score held eight minutes, before freshman Alyssa Frazier flicked one in from straight away to make it 5-0. Two minutes later, Houghton, who already had three assists in the match, beat the keeper on a 1-v-1 play down the near side, and chipped it in to the far side for a 6-0 Rebel lead.

The halftime lead would hold at 6-0, as Ole Miss posted 22 shots in the opening 45 to Alabama State's three. After a fairly quiet first 15 minutes of the second half, the offense got rolling again when junior transfer Mary Kate Smith punched one in from the far side making it a 7-0 contest. Then, at the 76:59 mark, freshman Emily Holten found the net for her first collegiate score to cap the scoring for the night.

The Rebels applied pressure all night, finishing with a whopping 35 shots, which stands as the most in a single game since Sept. 10, 2010 vs. McNeese State. Seventeen of those were on goal, led by Kizer's five on target. Sophomore Gabby Little had four shots and created a couple of dangerous opportunities near the net, while Houghton had three, all of which were on target.

Sophomore Claire Williams and the defense allowed only four shots by the Hornets, and she made two saves in her first collegiate action.

Kickers

Junior forward CeCe Kizer, with her three goals in the first 30 minutes of the game, became the first Rebel with a hat trick since Aug. 31, 2014 when Addie Forbus had one vs. Louisiana-Lafayette.
Sophomore Alley Houghton's four assists are tied for third-most by any player in school history, becoming the first since Anna Sanders on Sept. 26, 2001 to dish out four helpers. She also found the net for her first score of the season, and third career goal.
Ole Miss' eight goals are the most in a match since Aug. 31, 2012 against Little Rock. The eight goals rank tied for fifth in school history.
The Rebels put up 35 shots on the Hornets, which stands as the most in a single game in seven years (36 on Sept. 10, 2010 vs. McNeese State).
Overall four Rebels (Grace Johnson, Alyssa Frazier, Mary Kate Smith, Emily Holten) scored for the first time in their careers, while Chanel Thomas go tin on the scoring with her first career assist.
In a game that featured 10 subs for Ole Miss, 21 different players hit the field, including 11 who made their Rebel debut. Seven of the 11 starters had never played in a Rebel uniform prior to Friday night.

Up Next
The Rebels host Northwestern State Sunday night at 7 p.m. (SECN+) in Oxford to close out opening weekend.

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.

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Team Stats

CeCe Kizer

Alley Houghton

Mary Kate Smith

Emily Holten

Players Mentioned

Bella Fiorenzo

Addie Forbus

Alyssa Frazier

Emily Holten

Alley Houghton

Grace Johnson

CeCe Kizer

Gabby Little

Mary Kate Smith

Chanel Thomas

Claire Williams

The University of Mississippi Athletics