Mississippi State senior Leanna Baldner has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week as the Bulldogs prepare to host Mississippi Valley State today at 7 p.m. at the MSU Soccer Field.

    The Meridian native earned the honor after helping the Bulldogs (4-1) surrender just one goal against both Troy and South Alabama en route to winning the Trojan Classic in Troy, Ala.

    Baldner and her defensive teammates held Troy to nine shots while posting the team’s second shutout of the season, a 2-0 victory.

    She played a key part in the Bulldogs’ championship-clinching 3-1 win against South Alabama on Sunday. In addition to her stifling defense in the center-back position, Baldner collected a career-high two assists in the second half to break a 1-1 halftime tie.

    Baldner, who was named a Trojan Classic Outstanding Player, helped give State the lead for good in the 62nd minute with her perfectly-placed pass to Rachel Wannek over the top of the USA defense for the breakaway, game-winning goal.

    She helped seal the win just 28 seconds later, finding Wannek for State’s third goal on a free kick at the 62:08 mark. That 28-second span between goals stands as the fourth-fastest consecutive goals in school history.

    Baldner, Mississippi State’s assists leader, and the Bulldogs look to extend a three-game win streak as the Delta Devilettes come to town for the first match of the season at the newly-renovated MSU Soccer Field.

    The two in-state schools have only met twice, with Mississippi State claiming both meetings. The Dawgs have not allowed a goal to MVSU, which enters Tuesday’s match 0-4 after a 2-0 loss to Jacksonville State on Saturday.

Redshirt sophomore Skylar Rosson has played every minute in goal for the Bulldogs this season. The Edmond, Okla., native has stopped 22 shots while allowing just five goals for a 1.00 goals-against average.