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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
3-2-0, 0-0-0
McNeese State
1-5-0, 0-0-0
Trio of Rebels Score as Soccer Defeats McNeese State
9/1/2024 | Soccer
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss rebounded Sunday in its third win of the season over McNeese State by a score of 3-0. Three different Rebels found the scoring column including Kate Smith and Bella Leonard who recorded their first collegiate goals.
The Rebels maintained control on the offensive attack for the majority of the match. Ole Miss held the advantage in shots (12-1) and corners (3-0) in the first 45, generating several chances inside the box. After a Brenlin Mullaney shot ricocheted off the post, the ball found Kate Smith who was there to push Ole Miss in front in the 37th minute. Senior goalkeeper Shu Ohba worked a scoreless half, making one save.
YES! NO! YES!@kate_smith07 taps it in for her first career goal! pic.twitter.com/zTo9xvens7
— Ole Miss Soccer (@OleMissSoccer) September 1, 2024
The offensive pressure would continue in the second half with the Rebels generating 10 more shots. Bella Leonard found the scoring column for the first time in her career in the 50th minute. She delivered a rocket from outside the box into the upper right corner to put the Rebels up 2-0.
ABSOLUTE BRILLIANCE ??
— Ole Miss Soccer (@OleMissSoccer) September 1, 2024
Bella Leonard will never forget her first career goal! pic.twitter.com/MI1x88M92i
Another goal was added off the foot of Evie Ewing in the 80th. Smith delivered a beautiful ball to Hailey Cloud who drove a shot that hit the crossbar. Ewing stuck with the play and drove the deflection into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
.@evieewingg with the follow-up!
— Ole Miss Soccer (@OleMissSoccer) September 1, 2024
First goal of the season for the sophomore! pic.twitter.com/Eel0QEAy2w
In total Ole Miss outshot the Cowgirls (22-2) and held a (6-1) edge in corners.
Sophomore keeper Taylor Prigge replaced Ohba in the 54th minute. The duo combined for the team’s third shutout of the season.
Head Coach Molly Rouse’s thoughts on the game:
“Considering the fact that in one week we faced high quality, intense opponents, to be able to learn as much as we did from those matches and put a lot of things we talked about in film and training was really good progress for us today. Excited about the growth and development we’ve seen from the team.”
On the amount of offensive chances created:
“It speaks to the quality of human that we have on this team. Every single player has to contribute whether its in training or when they get in games, so it’s a testament to the group that we have. In terms of the chances we created, it was nice to see us be able to get into some dangerous spaces and to capitalize on some of those opportunities.”
The Rebels (3-2-0) head to Birmingham next week for a pair of games next week at UAB and Samford. Kick off Thursday against the Blazers is set for 7 p.m. CT and can be streamed on ESPN+.
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Team Stats
Kate Smith (1)
GOAL by OLE Smith, Kate.
36:35
Bella Leonard (1)
GOAL by OLE Leonard, Bella.
49:12
Evie Ewing (1)
GOAL by OLE Ewing, Evie.
79:08
