PENSACOLA, Fla.--  No. 4 Mississippi State advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 SEC Soccer Tournament with a 1-1 (2-0) comeback win in penalty kicks over No. 5 Alabama at the Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex. This is the first time the Bulldogs advance to the semifinals in program history.

This game came in with high intensity as the Bulldogs had just snapped the Tide's home unbeaten streak on Oct. 22 with the 2-0 defeat. However, Alabama was unable to get its revenge after relinquishing a lead and failing to covert a penalty in the shootout. Goalie Maddie Anderson proved to be MS State's player of the game with a total of eight saves and even made a critical stop on the first penalty attempt.

In the 5th minute, Gianna Paul slipped behind the Bulldogs defense off of a quick counter and sent a rifling shot that was tipped over the bar by Anderson to keep the game scoreless.

Soon after, Mississippi State had an opportunity of its own, granted by a free kick outside the 18-yard box but Haley McWhirter fired it just wide right.

Alabama struck first in the 24th minute, defender Brooke Steere netted a scrappy goal from a rebound off of Marianna Annest's driven free kick that ricocheted off the crossbar. 

The Crimson Tide continued to pose a threat to the Bulldogs' defense but second team All-SEC goalie Anderson kept the score at 1-0 with five saves.

First Half Quick Facts:

• 12 total shots recorded (10 Alabama, 2 Mississippi State)
• Brooke Steere scored her third goal of the season
• Gianna Paul logged four shots on goal

The Crimson Tide picked up where it left off in the first half putting pressure on the backline of Mississippi State and almost added to their total but Annest's header was corralled by Anderson.

In the 55th minute, the Bulldogs were awarded their best chance of the night when a handball was called on a Bama defender in the box. Martinez-Montoya stepped up to the plate and slotted the penalty kick into the right corner to tie the game, 1-1.

The intensity turned to another level with 20 minutes remaining as both teams exchanged opportunities looking for the game winner.

Paul tried to find the game winner with less than 10 minutes remaining but sent her left-footed strike just above the bar. 

In the final minute, Bama earned a corner, but couldn't convert on the set piece, sending the game to overtime.

Second Half Quick Facts:

• Alabama held the shot advantage of 7-5
• Aitana Martinez-Montoya scored her sixth goal of the season

Neither team was able to score a goal in the two overtime periods, resulting in a penalty shootout.

Scoring Summary:

24' | UA - Brooke Steere, 1-0
55' | MSU - Aitana Martinez-Montoya, 1-1

Penalty Shootout Summary:

Up Next: 

No. 4 Mississippi State will take on No. 1 Arkansas on Thursday (11/2) at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

The Crimson Tide will return to Tuscaloosa and await the results of the NCAA Tournament Selection show on Monday, Nov. 6.