Season Opener Preview
The Bulldogs are set to open the 2026‑27 campaign on Wednesday evening, hosting South Alabama at 6 p.m. Central Time. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ and marks the first meeting of the season for both programs.
It also signals the start of Kevin O'Brien's eighth year at the helm of Mississippi State soccer. O'Brien, who took over in December, becomes the program's eighth head coach and brings a career spanning three decades and 25 winning seasons.
This year's roster features 19 newcomers, a blend of fresh talent and experienced returnees. Three players have earned spots on the SEC Preseason Watch List, underscoring the excitement surrounding the new look.
The matchup continues a streak of five straight seasons in which the two sides have met, a series that includes two wins and two draws over the past four years. Mississippi State has maintained an unbeaten record in non‑conference home fixtures since the end of August 2023, posting a perfect 10‑0‑0 run.
Under the guidance of goalkeeper coach Kat Stratton, the Bulldogs have set program records for shutouts and have limited opponents to the fewest shots per game in the last four seasons, a defensive foundation that could prove decisive.
South Alabama arrives as the third‑seeded team in the Sun Belt Conference, according to league coaches. Goalkeeper Sierra Giorgio, a preseason selection as both Sun Belt Goalkeeper of the Year and a national "Goalkeeper to Watch," anchors a defense that finished the previous campaign with a strong record.
Defender Amelia Campanella was also recognized, earning a spot on the Sun Belt preseason all‑conference team, highlighting the conference's depth at the back.
The Bulldogs will travel to Birmingham on Sunday night to meet UAB, kicking off at 7 p.m. and streaming on ESPN+. The game offers a chance to test the new lineup against another in‑state rival before conference play begins.