Soccer Hosts Texas State Sunday in First Home Conference Game of Season

Sunday, September 29

Marshall Bell Track & Field and Soccer Complex

1 p.m.

Southern Miss

Texas State

Soccer Hosts Texas State Sunday in First Home Conference Game of Season

9/28/2024 8:19:00 AM | Women's Soccer

WSOC Game Notes Game 8 vs. Texas State

HATTIESBURG, Miss.-Southern Miss Soccer (1-5-1, 0-1-1 Sun Belt) prepares to host its first home conference game of the season against Texas State (5-3-3, 1-0-1 Sun Belt) Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Marshall Bell Complex.

Game 8: Southern Miss (1-5-1, 0-1-1 Sun Belt) vs. Texas State (5-3-3, 1-0-1 Sun Belt)
Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. CT
Marshall Bell Complex
ESPN+: es.pn/4epM2kG
Live Stats: smttt.info/3zGg6to

The Golden Eagles return home for their third home game of the season and first since Sept. 8. Southern Miss concluded a three-game road stretch, most recently picking up one point in conference play in a scoreless draw at South Alabama on Wednesday.

The match snapped Southern Miss' five-game losing streak and marked the teams' first shutout since its 5-0 season-opener victory versus Mississippi Valley State.

Head Coach Mohammed El-Zare, who already holds the title as the program's winningest coach, reached a milestone marker in the match, completing his 200th career game at the helm of Southern Miss.

Starting senior goalkeeper Kesaia Bruni thwarted South Alabama's scoring opportunities in the match, posting her first clean sheet of her career and saving a season-high five shots to keep the game scoreless.

Now, Southern Miss turns its attention to Texas State to conclude the week. After drawing 1-1 at Louisiana to begin conference play, the Bobcats returned home with a dominant 6-1 finish against Marshall.

Southern Miss Notables

Senior Adaira Nakano made her 45th start at Southern Miss Wednesday against South Alabama. The Ontario, Canada native has made 25 consecutive starts for the Golden Eagles, the longest active streak on the team. Nakano, who led the team with 18 points last season, paces the team with five points through seven matches in 2024.

Freshman Raquelle Mitchell is also tied with Nakano with two goals from scoring a brace in her collegiate debut against MVSU. The trio of Alice Williamson, Shaelynn Quick and Rebeka Vega have accounted for the team's other three goals this season.

Bruni's .720 save percentage currently ranks eighth in the conference this season. Bruni has recorded a career-high 18 saves, while allowing seven goals in seven appearances and three starts.

Scouting Texas State

The Bobcats are led by third-year head coach Steve Holeman, who has posted a 26-15-9 record with the program.

Texas State last lost Sept. 1 versus Houston 3-2. The Bobcats are 3-0-3 since then and are currently tied for third in the conference with four points.

Zoe Junior scored 12 seconds into Thursday's match against Marshall, tying the program record for the fastest goal which was set by Kim Phillips on Oct. 3, 2006.

The Bobcats' six goals were the most since scoring six against Texas Southern on Sept. 1, 2012 and most scored in a conference match since netting seven on Nov. 2, 2008 against Central Arkansas.

Texas State leads the conference in total points (65) and shots (183), averaging 16.64 per game. The Bobcats have also had the most corners (63) in the Sun Belt so far this season.

Texas State's Mady Soumare is tied second for most points (12) and goals in the conference (5). Soumare has two assists on the season, while teammate Kaylie Smith's four assists ranks for the second most in the Sun Belt.

Series History

Texas State leads the all-time series 1-0-2. The last meeting on Oct. 26, 2023 resulted in a 3-3 draw in San Marcos, Texas as the Golden Eagles clinched a spot in the Sun Belt Tournament in the final game of the regular season.

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