FRIDAY: OLE MISS 2, KENNESAW STATE 1 (SID)
KENNESAW, Ga. – Mandy McCalla converted her first penalty kick of the season, putting the go-ahead goal in the net in the 68th minute to give Ole Miss (5-1-1) a 2-1 win over Kennesaw State (2-4-0) Friday night.
“We played really well in the first half, but unfortunately didn’t get a goal,” said Ole Miss head coach Matthew Mott. “We really battled in the second half to go down a goal and then respond with two goals of our own. I’m proud of the character of this team for getting down and then continuing to fight and come back.
“We’re ready to get home on Sunday night against Memphis,” Mott said. “We’re excited to get home after four straight weeks on the road and five of our first seven matches away from home – especially the last four straight.”
SUNDAY: OLE MISS 3, MEMPHIS 0 (ELEY)
In the renewing of a regional rivalry, the Ole Miss Lady Rebel soccer team defeated the Memphis Lady Tigers 3-0 Sunday night.
The first big play of the match came from junior goal keeper Kelly McCormick. Her first of four saves on the night came on an early penalty kick from Memphis’ Christabel Oduro.
“Set the tone for us, no question. If that goes in, it’s a whole different game.” said head coach Matt Mott about the play.
After senior forward/midfielder Mandy McCalla scored the first goal, senior forward Rafaelle Souza sealed the deal for the Rebels in the second half, scoring two goals in exactly one minute. Souza and McCalla, who tied for the lead in the SEC in scoring last season, are now tied for the team lead in scoring, with seven goals each. While this would possibly spark a friendly rivalry on many teams, Souza says she and McCalla are just friends that want the best for their team.
The rivalry, known in soccer circles as a “derby,” is the first match-up of the two teams since the spring. McCormick said it is “exciting to play a rival that is only an hour away,” but she looks forward to the beginning of the “real season” with Southeastern Conference play on the horizon.
In a very physical but relatively clean match, Ole Miss improved its record to 6-1-1 on the season. Mott said he is “really happy” with the team’s performance so far, noting that the team is healthy and working hard.
The Rebels will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday for their SEC opener against Arkansas, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Ole Miss Sports Information contributed to this report.
