Sophomore forward Kylee Simmons stands with her team mates for the pledge of allegiance at Audrey J Walton Stadium in Columbia Mo. on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023
The Tigers and the Bears matchup pits two similar teams against each other.
Missouri soccer fans might be seeing double on Sept.10 as two teams with similar records from the same state face off on neutral turf in St. Louis.
As part of the “Mizzou to the ‘Lou” series, Missouri’s soccer team will be taking on in-state foes Missouri State at the World Wide Technology Stadium in Fenton, Mo. Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking for the game is free.
Both teams have experienced their best start in years thus far. Missouri currently sits at 3-1-2, the first time they’ve had less than two losses through five games since 2019. Missouri State has had similar success, an undefeated record of 5-0-2, being their best start in program history. The Tigers are coming into the game with one more loss and one less game played than the Bears. Considering the teams statistics and offense, the teams are very equally matched.
“We all have that aspect of wanting to win and wanting to add something to the program,” Missouri forward Ana DiMaria said. “I think that definitely helped. The team is unique in a way that we’re all super close.”
The Tigers’ offense has ranked similarly to the Bears’, but the Tigers might have the upper hand with their ability to get downhill. They have scored within the first 15 minutes in five of the six games they have played so far this season and have scored the first goal in four of those games. The Tigers have an accuracy percentage of .547 for shots on goal on 95 shots compared to the Bear’s .544 accuracy for shots on goal through 90 shots.
“We looked at their game film, and they press up high and have a lot of forwards in their attacks, so I think that’ll be interesting,” DiMaria said. “But I’m pretty sure we’re ready, and we’ll be able to match that up.”Missouri State’s defense will bring trouble for the Tigers, as they allow just a .424 shot on goal percentage. The Bears have shut out their opponents in four out of their seven games. Senior goalie Camielle Day has allowed only six goals this year against 80 total shots.
Despite their strong offensive starts, the Tigers haven’t done as well in the second half of their games. A key thing for the Tigers is to not get behind in the first half. In the last three games combined, Missouri has allowed seven goals in the second half.
“I think our biggest strength is how well the team meshes, because how well the team meshes off the field transfers onto the field,” Missouri State forward Julia Kristensen said. “I think we have some really good players, too. We have some really good technical players, and I think our style of play has gotten so much more established throughout the fall.”
For many players on both teams, this game serves as a homecoming and family affair. Between the two teams, there are 14 players from St. Louis and the surrounding area.
For DiMaria, World Wide Technology Stadium is a home away from home; she has played on this field before with her old club team, St. Louis Scott Gallagher. She credits the field for shaping her into the person that she is.
“[Being able to play in this game] is one of the best feelings because I get to represent my hometown while also being surrounded by family and friends,” DiMaria said.
Kristensen has a similar story. She played there when she was younger with a club team as well. She has watched college teams play on this field before — now she gets to be a college player on the field.
“When I was younger, I would be able to go to games like this,” Kristensen said. “I was always so excited. Now, it’s really cool to look back and be the one on the field rather than being in the stands and having my little sister there and her being in the place that I used to be.”
This is Kristensen’s first year with Missouri State, as she transferred from Central Missouri. She said the team has been very welcoming to her. She credits the great team chemistry and culture of the Bears for why they are able to play so well together and have had such a successful start to the season.
“I really want it to be a good experience and for [the game] to have a good impact on women’s soccer in St. Louis,” Kristensen said. “[I hope] that people will go out and watch more women’s soccer.”
For both teams, this is their last game before they begin conference play. Missouri goes on the road to play Florida at 6 p.m. CDT on Sept. 15, and Missouri State heads to Kentucky to play Murray State on Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. CDT.