For the first two years of her collegiate soccer career, Reagan Russell pouted at practices and acted immature on the pitch.

But this year the junior midfielder from Sugar Land, Texas, has grown up, according to Missouri coach Bryan Blitz. Russell has a career-high four goals and two assists in eleven games — all starts — for the Tigers.

“Everything is clicking,” Russell said. “My final touches are clicking. I’m finally getting those runs down the line. I feel like the team is clicking and that’s really helping me get my confidence in the game.”

Russell played in all 22 games as a freshman, but none were starts. She attempted 23 shots in that first season, but none found their way into the back of the net. Russell didn’t record a goal or assist in her freshman season. As a substitute at forward off the bench, she received two yellow cards.

In her sophomore season, Russell played in 20 games and started in nine. She recorded three goals and two assists — in over 1,100 minutes — 500 more than she had her freshman year.

But until this year, Russell said she didn’t have the best attitude. Russell is now fully listening to her coaches and attributes her success this season to her trust in Blitz.

“Listening to him, he’s had a lot of advice,” Russell said. “I think I’ve been a little stubborn the past couple of years. Finally we’ve got a good relationship, and I’ve matured in that I take what he says on the sidelines and actually put it forth in the games and it works. It’s working out really well.”

The product of Russell’s maturity was on full display in the Tigers’ most recent home game against LSU on Sept. 19. Missouri won its Southeastern Conference opener 3-1, and Russell recorded two goals and an assist in the match.

“She’s been really maturing,” Blitz said. “She has always had the skill set. The mental part of her game has really grown. As you know, when you get to a certain level, the play gets faster and harder, and she’s grown to that maturity-wise.”

Russell said she’s found she plays best on the flank, and her success occurs when she takes on the opposing defender inline and gets her crosses in.

Senior forward Taylor Grant has noticed that Russell has more confidence on the ball. Grant said Russell is changing up her moves on defenders and using her variety of skills to relieve the frustration that may stem from a bad call or foul.

“I think now she’s a lot calmer and she doesn’t let stuff get into her head as much,” said Grant, a fellow Texas native. “She is just doing a really good job of staying calm and if she gets hit, just letting it go and keeping on playing. I think she’s found a happy medium where she uses a lot of energy going with the ball and scoring, rather than worrying about a hit or what someone said.”

Now that Russell has found that balance, Blitz hopes she can keep it.

“A grown-up Reagan is a good Reagan for Mizzou,” Blitz said.