The Tigers are now 4-5-3 in their all-time series with the Bulldogs and have not won since 2016
Coming off a last-minute 1-0 loss to Kentucky earlier in the week, Mizzou soccer had to wipe that finish from its mind and prepare for No. 15 Mississippi State. The pain of the loss against the Wildcats seemed to carry over into Friday’s match at Audrey J. Walton Stadium, proving the SEC gauntlet is no joke.
This match was fully controlled by the Bulldogs from the tip en route to their 3-0 win over the Tigers. Coming off the three-game skid, Mizzou now boasts a 4-6-1 record (1-3 SEC). This loss to Mississippi State marks the largest margin of defeat for the Tigers this season.
The Bulldogs wasted no time putting pressure on Mizzou. In the fifth minute, junior midfielder Alivia Buxton inbounded a corner kick to senior midfielder Ally Perry, who took the shot from well outside the penalty box with her left foot and found the back post to ricochet the shot in.
The lead was extended to 2-0 by Mississippi State on another ridiculous shot from outside the penalty box in the 32nd minute. Sophomore midfielder Kennedy Husbands scored the goal unassisted and out of the air with her left foot into the top right corner of the goal.
The difference in the match could be found in the corners. Each squad had two corner kick attempts at the half, except the Bulldogs scored off both their attempts, and Mizzou only accumulated two shots heading into halftime.
“I think the first [corner] was weird. I have no idea how it ended up in the back of the net. I’m going to have to watch it back, because to me, I’m like, how did we not get something on it to get it out?” Head coach Stefanie Golan said. “The second one, that kid’s not going to score that goal again in her life; our margin for error is so small.”
After nearly 30 minutes of solid defensive play in the second half, the Tigers had a lapse and let junior forward Kyra Taylor corral a through ball from Perry. Taylor had one defender to beat and Phillips in the goal. She snuck the ball into the bottom left corner of the net in the 73rd minute to put Mississippi State up three.
Finally, an opportunity arose for Mizzou’s offense.
In the 55th minute, freshman defender Ava Lamothe broke free down the left sideline off a pass from sophomore forward Emily Derucki and had a one-on-one to the goal. Lamothe took the shot with her left foot, aiming for the back right of the net, but it grazed off the post and out of bounds, giving the Bulldogs a goal kick.
The Tigers’ offense looked slightly improved in the second half, totaling four shots and getting some opportunities off their five corner attempts in the match.
Stats and Storylines
Mizzou is in a scoring drought over its past three matches. There have only been 16 shot attempts in the drought.
It was a rough day for junior goalkeeper Kate Phillips in the net, facing seven shots on goal and letting three get by her. The Tigers’ goalkeeper ranks in the top five for saves in the conference and has faced lots of pressure against SEC offenses.
Mizzou will have a five day break before hitting the road for one game against the LSU Tigers at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2.
Category: General Sports
