Missouri Soccer earned one of its most impressive results of the season Oct. 19, holding No. 11 Arkansas – the first-place team in the SEC — to a 0-0 draw. The tie snapped the Tigers’ seven-game losing streak and marked their first clean sheet in Southeastern Conference play this year.
Redshirt sophomore Riley Wilkerson made her first career appearance in goal, stepping in for regular starter Kate Phillips, who had played every minute this season.
Despite the high-pressure situation, Wilkerson delivered a standout performance in her debut, leading the defense to one of its strongest performances of the season.
“She’s been training really well,” head coach Stefanie Golan said. “I thought she did a great job.”
The Razorbacks controlled much of the second half, producing 11 shots and eight corners. The Tigers withstood constant pressure, and Wilkerson finished the match with six saves.
Wilkerson’s standout moment came in the 68th minute, when a goalmouth scramble following an Arkansas corner kick resulted in two point-blank shots for the Razorbacks. Wilkerson reacted quickly and pulled off consecutive saves.
Arkansas collected the rebound and got off two more shots, both blocked by junior defender Mia Yang.
“I feel spectacular about the backline today,” Wilkerson said. “I couldn’t even count how many blocked shots, they made my job very easy today.”
The game marked Missouri’s first clean sheet against Arkansas since 2010. The Tigers also became the third team to gain conference points against the Razorbacks, joining No. 8 South Carolina and No. 19 Georgia.
“We needed to compete and we competed for 90 minutes,” Golan said. “I am really proud of the team.”
The draw improves Missouri’s record to 4-10-2 overall and 1-7-1 in the SEC. The Tigers will look to build on their defensive momentum as they close out the regular season on the road Oct. 26 at Auburn.
