Missouri soccer traveled to Starkville, Miss. on Sunday night to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs, losing 5-0. The Tigers fell to 4-8-2 (2-4-1 SEC) while Mississippi State remained unbeaten in conference play, moving to 12-1 (6-0 SEC). 

Mississippi State controlled the offensive pace with a total of 20 shots along with four corners and eight shots on goal.  

Senior midfielder Hannah Johnson scored in the 20th minute. Johnson received a pass and cut through the middle of the field before firing a shot in the top left of the net. 

The Bulldogs were back on the attack, quickly doubling their lead with a goal from center forward Zoe Main in the 21st minute. This marked the second goal allowed by Tigers goalkeeper Kate Phillips. In her last four games she allowed two goals combined. 

Missouri’s defense held strong for the next 25 minutes and entered halftime down 2-0. However, Mississippi State quickly added to their lead in the second half with their third goal of the game in the 47th minute. Midfielder Macey Hodge dribbled toward the top of the box and passed the ball to Aitana Martinez-Montoya, who was wide open and shot it past Phillips. 

The Tigers were held scoreless for the second time in their last three games after putting up zero shots on goal. Missouri’s offense struggled to create scoring opportunities as they only took one corner and three shots, two were blocked by a defender and one was turned away by Mississippi State goalkeeper Maddy Anderson.   

Two of Missouri’s three shots were taken by junior Keegan Good, with Milena Fischer taking the last one. Philips struggled in net, facing eight shots on goal and allowing five goals. She made three saves, but it wasn’t enough to keep the offense within striking distance.     

Mississippi State added two more goals in the final 30 minutes of the game. One by junior Ally Perry and the final goal of the night by Maggie Wadsworth in the 82nd minute.  

Missouri only has three games left in the season until the SEC tournament begins — where only the top 12 teams will compete. The Tigers currently sit right on the cusp in 12th place, one point ahead of LSU. Both Tiger teams will clash in the final game of the season. 

Next up for the Tigers is a home game against the Oklahoma Sooners to kick off Homecoming Weekend at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18.

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com