Mitchell Scores Brace as Golden Eagles Blank Mississippi Valley State in Season Opener

Thursday, August 15

Marshall Bell Track & Field and Soccer Complex

4:30 p.m.

Southern Miss

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Mississippi Valley State

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Mississippi Valley State

Southern Miss

Photo by: Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com

Mitchell Scores Brace as Golden Eagles Blank Mississippi Valley State in Season Opener

8/15/2024 7:59:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HATTIESBURG, Miss.-Southern Miss freshman Raquelle Mitchell led the way in Thursday's season opener against Mississippi Valley State with two goals in her debut, joining three other Golden Eagles who scored in a 5-0 rout against the Devilettes.

Senior Adaira Nakano, redshirt Alice Williamson and redshirt sophomore Shaelynn Quick each found the back of the net for their first goals of the season.

Southern Miss' attack pressured Mississippi Valley at a historic rate, launching 43 shots throughout the game, which ranks for the fourth-most shots in program history and most in a game since Aug. 30, 2013.

Williamson became just the eighth Golden Eagle to take ten or more shots in a game, making five on target and converting one for her first goal of the season and third of her career.

Nakano saw the first opportunity of the game for Southern Miss as she was awarded a penalty kick in the fifth minute of the match, which MVSU goalkeeper Sydney Whitten blocked.

The Ontario, Canada native found redemption 15 minutes later, floating a difficult header above Whitten for Southern Miss' first goal of the season. Mallory Tapper earned an assist, along with Victoria Clark's corner kick. Nakano also scored her first goal in 2023 against the Devilettes, marking her second consecutive season with a goal in the season opener.

Mitchell found her first goal in the 32nd minute from a deflected save, knocking the ball into the corner of the goal. Southern Miss tallied a final goal in the first period on an assist from a corner kick by Nakano to Williamson, who headed the ball into the upper corner of the goal.

Four minutes into the second half, Quick fired off a deep shot into the goal for her first career points and extended Southern Miss' lead to 4-0.

Mitchell closed the game out with her second goal of the match, sending the ball to the top center of the goal past Whitten.

Whitten finished the game with 15 saves, facing 21 shots on goal. Mississippi Valley State recorded just five shots in the match with three on target, all of which substitute goalkeeper Kesaia Bruni registered saves.

Southern Miss improves its all-time record against MVSU to 11-1 with eight consecutive wins.

The Golden Eagles will take the road next Thursday to face Auburn at 6 p.m.

For the latest information on Southern Miss Soccer, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSoccer), Twitter (@SouthernMissSoc) and Instagram (@southernmisssoccer).