First doesn’t always mean finest, as Missouri soccer loses to No. 25 Alabama 2-1 after an early lead.

The Tigers started the match strong, as freshman forward Brianna Buels forced a Crimson Tide turnover before feathering a ball to senior forward Jenna Bartels in the bottom left corner for a goal. This marked only the second time in the Tiger’s last nine matches  where they found paydirt first. Bartels tallied her third goal in her fourth and final season in a Tiger uniform.

The Tiger defense held strong in the first half, conceding only three shots to the potent Alabama offense. However, the Missouri offense stalled, registering only one other shot in the first 45 minutes.

Alabama’s offense started off quick in the second half, as sophomore forward Gianna Paul rang a shot off the crossbar in the 49th minute, only a few inches away from tying the game.

The missed point didn’t stop the Crimson Tide, as redshirt sophomore defender Brooke Steere redirected a corner kick in the 67th minute to officially tie the game at one.

The Alabama offense continued its strides with a goal from graduate defender Marianna Annest on a laser-shot from the left side of the box in the 86th minute, taking a 2-1 lead over the Tigers. 

Missouri failed to generate high-quality chances all evening, totalling only six shots on goal compared to the Tide’s 11. The Tigers’ defensive cracks were apparent, allowing a total of 29 goals this season  — the worst mark in the SEC. 

With the loss, Missouri soccer falls to 5-9-3 and 1-8-1 in SEC conference play to end the season. The Tigers ended the year last in the conference and will miss the SEC Tournament as a result. 

Edited by Chase Gemes | cgemes@themaneater.com

Copy Edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com 

Edited by Sophie Rentschler | srentscher@themaneater.com