Milena Fischer scores her ninth career goal for Missouri in the Tigers’ tie against Illinois
Missouri soccer went on the road to Champaign, Il. on Thursday night to face Illinois, and left with a 1-1 draw.
An uneventful first half saw Missouri end with five shots and the Fighting Illini with three. Both teams picked it up in the second half, garnering more scoring opportunities. Missouri had nine corner kicks in the second half, while Illinois only had two.
In the second half, Illinois added six shots and scored first through a goal off a corner with 18 minutes left to play in the last period. Illinois freshman midfielder Regan Moody scored on a header that bounced under Missouri junior goalie Bella Hollenbach’s outstretched arms.
Five minutes after Illinois’ goal, the Tigers responded with an equalizer on a redirection off of Illinois sophomore goalkeeper Izzy Lee. Lee dove to make the save, but the ball bounced off her hands and dropped right in front of Missouri senior midfielder Milena Fischer, who knocked it into the net.
Missouri outshot Illinois 15-9 in the game, with 10 of the Tigers’ shots coming in the final 45 minutes. The Tigers had five shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, but Lee saved four of them, with the fifth going out of bounds. Missouri was very offensive in the second half, taking 10 shots on goal. The Tigers had two scoring chances at the end of the game, one by Fischer and the last one by junior forward Bella Carrillo, which was saved by the goalkeeper to end the game.
Missouri goalkeeper Hollenbach had a slow game in the net, registering just three saves and allowing one goal. Two of her saves came in the second half, which gave Missouri the opportunity to even the score and then take the lead.
Both teams battled physically in this match. Missouri registered seven fouls and two yellow cards, while Illinois had 10 fouls and one yellow card.
The Tigers are now 1-2-1 early in the season after falling to the Saint Louis Billikens on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.comCopyedited by Hannah Taylor, Natalie Kientzy | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com