Three things we have learned from the Tigers’ most recent losing streak
Missouri soccer wrapped up its ninth game in the 2024 season and they have suffered major growing pains. The Tigers were dismantled by No. 2 Arkansas 8-2 in their latest game. With the loss, Missouri fell to 2-6-1 in the season and have now lost three consecutive games. Here are three things we have learned from the past week of action.
Offensive struggles
Missouri’s offense has managed two goals in their last three games, both coming from the loss against Arkansas. The Tigers have struggled pushing attackers into scoring position as the team has been outshot in their last three games. The last game they outshot their opponent was Sept. 8, at home, against Southeast Missouri State.
Missouri was shutout for five consecutive halves as the team didn’t score until the second half of the game against Arkansas. The Tigers rank 16th in the SEC as they have scored 11 goals this season for an average of 1.22 per game.
Missouri’s defense is lacking
Over this 0-3 stint, Missouri has been outscored 16-2. The team allowed seven goals to Duke and eight to Arkansas, both teams ranked in the top five.
This year the defense has been put in positions that lead to open looks for their opponents like bad passes, errors and bad positioning. These mental mistakes from their defenders have allowed Missouri’s opponents to get prime scoring chances that often lead to goals. Players are constantly in the wrong spots, allowing opposing players to be left unguarded.
Missouri’s goalkeepers have allowed 23 goals so far but have balanced that with 36 saves. All three of Missouri’s rostered goalies saw playing time against Arkansas, with sophomore goalkeeper Kate Phillips making her second start of the year. The Indiana native allowed six of the eight goals after playing the first half.
SEC swoon
Missouri is 0-10-1 across its last 11 games against SEC teams. This streak may continue as two of their next three opponents have six-plus wins, with Alabama at 7-2-2 and Tennessee at 6-1-2.
Sandwiched between those teams is Florida, who is 3-2-5. The Gators will travel to Columbia, so the Tigers will have to go on the road against both Alabama and Tennessee across the next two weeks. The Tigers currently sit in last place in the SEC rankings as one of only two teams in the SEC without a conference point thus far.
Next up for Missouri soccer is a match with the Crimson Tide at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Chase Pray and Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com