Mississippi State soccer to face No. 9 Tennessee in nationally televised match

Mississippi State will travel to face No. 9 Tennessee on Thursday night in a matchup of two of the Southeastern Conference’s highest-scoring offenses. The match will be televised nationally on ESPNU beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Its 8 p.m. local start will be Mississippi State’s latest kickoff of the season.

Tennessee enters with a 6-0-2 record and a 1-0-1 mark in conference play. The Lady Vols are ranked ninth by IWSOC, and coach Joe Kirt is in his fifth season leading the team.

Hailey Johnson leads Mississippi State with five goals, three assists and 13 points. Kati Anne Shepherd has 11 points, while Laila Murillo has 10. Murillo has also scored five goals, and Shepherd has four goals.

The teams are tied for fifth in the SEC standings with four points each. Mississippi State won the most recent meeting, 3-2, on Sept. 12, 2025.

After Thursday’s match, the Bulldogs will drive to Kentucky on Friday morning to prepare for a noon kickoff Sunday on SEC Network+.

Source: Mississippi State Athletics.