TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014 | 7
SPORTS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
Sullivan’s success noted in women’s soccer draft BY KRISTEN SPINK Managing Editor
While most Mississippi State University students attended their first Friday morning classes of the spring semester, senior Elisabeth Sullivan sat at home with her parents eagerly watching the live feed of the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League draft. But after two-and-a-half hours went by, Sullivan thought her chances of playing professional soccer were over. “I had accepted it wasn’t going to happen, and then I got a text from my coach (Aaron Gordon), and all it said was ‘Bam,’” Sullivan said. “I ran over to my computer and saw my name and started freaking out. My dad had gone to change for work, and my mom was on the phone, so I started freaking out and yelling and screaming, and my mom came over and did the same thing. We went and told my dad, and
he didn’t believe us until we the discussion. Getting the showed him the computer.” opportunity to even be menAfter a late trade, the Port- tioned was really good, then to land Thorns selected Sullivan be drafted says a lot in terms of with the 31st pick in the draft, what these coaches were lookmaking her the first MSU play- ing for,” Gordon said. “What er ever drafted this means in to the NWSL. terms of our proWith just four gram is it shows I love rounds in any potential soccer, the draft and player who comes and I think nine picks per to Mississippi round, only this is a great State that going 36 players opportunity that I to the next level were selected can’t pass up.” is a possibility beout of over cause we play in a 180 who de- -Elisabeth Sullivan, great conference clared for the MSU soccer forward and have a great draft. Sullivan school; what we was one of do as a program only two SEC is individuals players selected. have potential to grow and get Gordon said he and the better each year and then poMSU coaching staff did not tential and possibility is there, know if the draft was even go- and that’s what happened with ing to be a possibility, but after Elisabeth.” the great senior season she had Sullivan continued to break this fall, teams started mention- MSU records this year, writing ing her in their conversations. her name atop the single-sea“You always want to be in son goals record with 16, fin-
ishing with 39 goals and 92 points for her career — both tops in the record books. She was also named second-team All-SEC her final two seasons for the Maroon and White. Gordon said her goal-scoring ability is what will carry her in the pro world. “She has unique qualities in terms of being a goal scorer in the way that she scores goals, and her ability to beat players one-on-one makes her an attacking threat all the time. She’s not dependent on others to give her the ball; she can create on her own,” he said. Sullivan will take these abilities to the defending champion of the NWSL and join forces with Alex Morgan — the current face of women’s professional soccer. Thorns’ head coach Paul Riley told The Oregonian that Sullivan is a diamond in the rough. “We kept an eye on her all season. She wasn’t on anybody’s list, but I think she’s going to
be a sleeper. I think she’s maybe the third or fourth best forward coming out of the draft,” Riley said. Sullivan According to The Oregonian, Sullivan is expected to play “significant minutes” this season, especially when Morgan and Canadian Christine Sinclair leave to play with their respective national teams. Thorns’ training camp begins March 10, which means Sullivan, an elementary education major, will take a semester off and student teach this fall after the season ends. Although the Sullivan household was filled with excitement all weekend, Marcia Sullivan, Elisabeth’s mom, said she realized her daughter is going about the farthest she can in the country from her Memphis home.
“I know that she feels like she has been led by the Lord, and I know that’s where she gets her strength, so I think she’ll be fine,” Marcia said. “I think God has led her to this, and he’s not going to drop her now.” A soccer career that started when she was four years old has surpassed the wildest dreams of the newest Portland Thorn. From Memphis to Starkville and now to Portland, Sullivan said the constant support and encouragement from her family, friends, coaches and teammates has carried her the whole time. “I love soccer, and I think this is a great opportunity that I can’t pass up,” she said. “God has blessed me with the skills and talent, and since he’s given that to me and continued to bless me with that at Mississippi State, I feel like I need to continue with these talents and play for him with the Portland Thorns.”
Men’s tennis completes sweep behind freshmen, set to host ITA Kickoff Classic BY QUENTIN SMITH Staff Writer
After a stellar finish to the fall season, the No. 14 Mississippi State University men’s tennis team saw its 2014 season get off to a superb start as the Dogs swept Jackson State University and Alabama State University in a double-header to open up 2-0 on the season. The opening win against JSU marks the third consecutive season-opening match MSU has won and its 11thstraight home opener. In the match against JSU, windy conditions did not seem to bother the Bulldogs as they got off to a quick start by sweeping the doubles point and claiming victories in the singles. The team saw a strong performance out of senior Zach White and sophomore Jordan Angus who defeated their opponents in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-2. MARY LIZ HERRINGTON | THE REFLECTOR In the second game of the Freshman Florian Lakat and sophomore Jordan Angus celebrate after scoring a point in Saturday’s win against double header against ASU, the Bulldogs picked right Jackson State University. Lakat (right) hits a serve in his singles match against JSU, which he won 6-3, 6-0. back up where they left off, Lakat said he was excited and everyone is fighting realclaiming victories in both the took care of their stuff, which victories as Bulldogs this past to get his first win as a Bull- ly hard, and we’re not playing is good to see, especially from weekend. doubles and singles again. Nilsson said he was pleased dog. He also said there is a for ourselves. We’re playing Head Coach Per Nilsson the new guys.” The Bulldogs were with- with the newcomers in their huge difference between high for the university.” said he was proud of the way Last season, the Bulldogs school tennis and collegiate his team came out and com- out their senior leader Malte MSU debuts. reached the NCAA round “No one showed nerves tennis. peted even with the windy Stropp, who sat out to let “It’s way different,” he said. of 16 for the first time since some other players get playing really. They took care of the conditions. things we’ve been working on “In college tennis, everyone is 2001, and they are hoping to “I feel like we are supposed experience. Newcomers Florian Lakat, in practice, and everyone got good and you really have to be repeat that same success again to win these matches,” he said. “We didn’t let down. Ev- Rishab Agarwal and Tassilo a match in so that was really focused from the beginning this year. This year’s team is young, to the end. It’s never over, erybody stayed focused and Schmid all earned their first great,” Nilsson said.
having five freshmen and only two seniors. Despite only having two veterans, Nilsson said he is confident in the leadership his two seniors posses. “We need them to show the young guys what it’s like to fight when things aren’t going well,” Nilsson said. “They know the different levels of the game, so Zach and Malte are going to lead us and hopefully play the best and will lead by example.” Even though Stropp did not play this past weekend, he said he liked what he saw out of the new freshmen and said he embraces being a mentor to them. “We have to teach them how to be an actual team,” Stropp said. “College tennis is a team sport, and it’s important for me to show them what it’s like to play for MSU and be a part of a good program.” The team will be back at home at A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre again this weekend as they host the ITA Kickoff. Along with MSU, No. 18 South Carolina, No. 21 Memphis, and No. 27 Harvard will be featured in the event. The weekend’s winner will advance to Houston, Texas, to compete in the 2014 ITA National Team Indoor Championship in mid-February. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and times are to be announced for Sunday.
Lady Bulldogs drop back-to-back contests in top-ranked conference competition BY QUENTIN SMITH Staff Writer
Following its first conference victory against Arkansas last Sunday, the Mississippi State University Lady Bulldogs went toe-to-toe Thursday night against one of the most elite teams in the nation, the Tennessee Volunteers. The Lady Bulldogs fought hard and played with intensity all game long, but eventually, they would go on to drop the nail biter by a score of 67-63. Despite losing the close game, the Lady Bulldogs had no time to hang their heads, as they quickly had to turn around and face the conference’s best team and No. 21 Texas A&M Aggies.
The road trip to Texas A&M was MSU head coach Vic Schaffer’s first time returning back to College Station since he left in 2012. When asked prior to Sunday’s game about his feelings toward Texas A&M, Schaefer said the return home was simply a “business trip.” Unfortunately, the homecoming would be spoiled as MSU fell to the Aggies 73-35. The Lady Bulldogs will look to rebound as they face bitter in-state rival Ole Miss on Thursday night before returning home Sunday to host Missouri. Following Sunday’s loss to the Aggies, Schaefer was critical of the way his team played. “Sometimes, when you have the youth, inexperience
and immaturity that we have, those things show up. All three things reared their ugly heads today against a really good Texas A&M basketball team today,” Schaefer said. With the pair of losses, the team now stands at 14-5 and 1-4 in conference play. Even with the slow start in conference play, Schaefer said he likes the toughness he sees out of all of his players. “They’re competitive,” he said. “When you recruit for this league, you better go get tough, physical and aggressive kids who have a little edge to them, and these kids all have it.” The team’s toughness is being recognized throughout the league. Tennessee Volunteers guard
Andraya Carter said in a postgame Thursday night, although her team won, she was still impressed with MSU’s squad. “They played a lot better than what we saw on films. They brought it. They have heart and they have hustle. I tip my hats off to them,” Carter said. Schaefer said he can see his team growing up right in front of his eyes. MSU senior guard Katia May said competition is good, but the ultimate goal is to get the “W”, and it is dissatisfying to lose “It’s not a good feeling,” she said. “It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, but I’m happy about how we compete and show relentless effort.”
MARY LIZ HERRINGTON | THE REFLECTOR
Mississippi State University’s senior guard Katia May runs into the Tennessee defense during the Dogs’ 67-63 loss Thursday. May was second in scoring with 14 points against the No. 10 Lady Volunteers.