STARKVILLE, Miss. - Courtney Whidden’s second goal of the game with just under four minutes remaining broke a 2-2 tie and prevented Mississippi State (2-3-0) from securing a comeback, as the Bulldogs fell to Central Florida (4-1-0), 3-2.

MSU had just tied the game at two when the Knights were awarded a free kick. Nikki Moore took the kick, sending a shot towards the net. Whidden corralled the ball, and netted it into the left corner, giving UCF its third lead of the match.

Two minutes earlier, State tied the game for the second time. Lauren Host intercepted a long kick just past midfield. After dribbling into the offensive zone, she passed off to Treena Ferguson, who rifled a shot past Central Florida goalkeeper Jennifer Manis. The goal, her fifth of the season, also set a record, as Ferguson has now recorded a point in five consecutive games.

The first half was hard fought, as both teams battled for every inch, trading shots.State had the first scoring chance of the day with seven minutes remaining in the half. Danielle Kite dribbled the ball down the right side of the field before passing of to Katelyn Graben. The sophomore then dumped the ball off to Treena Ferguson who fired a shot from 30 yards away, sending the ball just over the net. After Danielle dos Santos picked up a yellow card with just over two minutes remaining, for UCF, the Bulldogs had another opportunity. Bethany Frazier sent a cross toward the net. After a deflection, Ashley Hood one-timed a shot, but Manis made the save, preserving the scoreless tie.

The Knights had their first scoring opportunity of the night with less than a minute to play. Becca Thomas sent a corner kick toward the front of the net. MSU goalkeeper Taryn Holland over ran the ball, and it fell in front of dos Santos, who sent it towards the open net. But, Kite was there backing up Holland, and she made the save.

UFC broke the scoreless tie with just 15 seconds remaining in the half. Courtney Whidden knocked in Thomas’ corner kick into the right corner, putting Central Florida up 1-0.

State finally broke through, tying the game with 15 minutes left. Ashley Hood picked up the ball in front of the UF net and passed it to Heather Buttrey, who beat Manis for her first goal of the season.

However, the Knights came right back. Seconds later, Kate Begley intercepted a pass and immediately fired a shot from 40 feet away that slipped just under the crossbar, giving UCF a 2-1 advantage.

Mississippi State looks to bounce back this Sunday when they face Rice at 12 p.m. (CT).