Missouri falls to Texas A&M at home after Margo Matula scores the only goal of the game
Missouri soccer hosted Texas A&M to begin SEC conference play, but were defeated 1-0.
The Tigers fell to 2-5-1, now 2-6-1, on the season, while Texas A&M improved to 6-3, now 6-4. With the loss, Missouri is now 0-9-1 in their last 10 games against SEC teams.
Sophomore defender Margo Matula scored the only goal of the game in the 61st minute for Texas A&M, putting it into the bottom left part of the net. The Aggies had multiple other scoring opportunities with eight total shots on goal, but only recorded one.
A mix between bad offense and good defense dictated the first half. Missouri registered just four shots in the first half, while Texas A&M outdid them with nine; three of those Aggie shots found their way to the net. The Tigers added five more shots in the second half with only two being on goal.
Missouri continued their physical style of play, registering 10 fouls and two yellow cards. Both of the yellow cards occurred in the second half, given out to defenders Mia Yang and Rachel Kutella. Both were penalized for unsporting behavior for aggressive contact.
Missouri captain defender and graduate student Rachel Kutella takes a goal kick for the Tigers as the team played Texas A&M on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 at Walton Stadium in Columbia, Mo. The Tigers fell to the Aggies 1-0.
Sophomore goalkeeper Kate Phillips started in net for Missouri over junior Bella Hollenbach, who did not play due to an undisclosed injury. She played the full 90 minutes while making seven saves, allowing only one goal. This was Phillips’ first start of the season, but her third appearance. Her other two appearances were against Southeast Missouri State and Duke. She made several starts at the beginning of the 2023 season.
Missouri was held scoreless for the second time in a row and for the fourth time so far this season. Junior forward Kylee Simmons led the Tigers with four shots and had both of Missouri’s shots-on-goal near the top of the net. They both occurred in the second half, but to no avail. The scoring chances were limited for the Tigers, taking only three corner kicks compared to Texas A&M’s 10.
The Aggies picked up their 500th win in school history, becoming the first SEC school to reach this milestone.
Missouri soccer traveled to Fayetteville, Ark. on Sunday, Sept. 22 for a match against No. 3 Arkansas where Arkansas beat the Tigers 8-2.
Missouri sophomore defender Mia Yang takes a throw-in on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 at Walton Field in Columbia, Mo. Yang played the full 90 minutes during the game against Texas A&M.
Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com