On Sunday against Tennessee Tech, the Missouri Tigers put 34 shots up against the Golden Eagles. Only two shots found the back of the net.

The game’s stat sheet states that senior midfielder Haley Krentz had one assist. Had more shots been goals, she might have had more.

Throughout the game, Krentz constantly set her teammates up for goals — a header here, a corner kick there mixed with a bevy of passes to open teammates — all to no avail.

The lone assist came as Krentz flashed down the north side of the field toward the goal box. A defender trailed her and two more tried to block the pass to senior forward Taiwo Adeshigbin.

It wasn’t the easiest play to make. But Krentz handled the pass skillfully, toeing it to a swooping Adeshigbin who buried it into the net.

The goal marked Missouri’s 16th this season after a mere five games. The Tigers are third in the Southeastern Conference with most goals. It was the 11th assisted goal for the team as well.

For Krentz, it was her fifth assist, meaning she’s had a hand in nearly half of all assists this year. Currently, Krentz has the most assists for not only the Tigers but also the SEC.

“(Going into the season,) I just wanted to have fun and do as well as I could,” Krentz said. “I wanted to help the team improve and help them succeed, whatever that may be.”

A true senior leader, Krentz is shying away from the spotlight, preferring to set up the show for Missouri’s extravagant, three-ring offense. She has seven points on the season, five from her assists and two from a goal.

Last year, she totaled five points with two goals and one assist.

“Haley has really stepped up,” coach Bryan Blitz said. “She did it all spring long and all summer long. The test was for her to translate that into a game and she has.”

The fact that Krentz has entered her final season has inspired her to perform at her best.

“Each day, I’m trying to make the most of it,” Krentz said. “I don’t have that many more games left, so I’m just trying to relish every moment.”

Krentz, along with Missouri’s senior class, has really taken the lead with the team. The seniors make up 20 percent of the squad and have chalked up almost half of the Tigers’ points.

“The seniors are really carrying us up front right now with their leadership when the game is on the line,” Blitz said. “They’re putting themselves out there. We’re happy about our senior class. They’ve done more than their share — especially with (junior forward Alyssa) Diggs being out.”

Krentz said she believes each senior, whether in a small or large way, has branched out to the underclassmen to help improve the team.

“All the seniors each have our little niche, so we can connect with different players,” Krentz said. “We have a very diverse group of us that is helping the team succeed and keep chugging along.”

The team is enthused with the results so far.

“I feel good (about the team this season),” junior Dominique Richardson said after the Arizona State game last Friday. “Everyone’s so close, we’re like sisters. We’ve bonded so much over the last few weeks.”

Naturally, Krentz didn’t pin the team’s success on herself. Instead, Krentz focused on teamwork, which she said has helped Missouri to its 5-1 start.

“We try to force the opposing team to make mistakes with our attack,” Krentz said. “We try to work in unison as one. That’s sort of our team motto.”