A late goal by Alabama spoiled Missouri soccer’s “senior game,” in which seniors Mckenzie Sauerwein, Kaysie Clark and Taylor Grant were all honored before the contest.
Missouri fell to Alabama 0-1 Sunday afternoon at Walton Stadium. With the loss, the Tigers fell to 10-4-2 overall and 5-3-0 in Southeastern Conference action. The Crimson Tide improved to 9-4-3, 4-2-2.
“Our team is resilient. It has been all year long,” Missouri coach Bryan Blitz said. “This is tough on senior day, but it’s a lesson — you take one play off in the SEC and that’s what’s going to happen to you.”
It happened in the 84th minute. With the match scoreless, Alabama’s Laura Lee Smith received a through-ball near midfield and took it for a break away toward the box. Smith beat the Tigers’ goalkeeper, Sauerwein, in the one-on-one chance, and finished the ball into the goal for a late 1-0 Alabama lead.
“They got the one chance, and that’s kind of how goes in the SEC,” Blitz said.
Blitz said Alabama’s fast-paced and counter-attacking style of play took Missouri out of its rhythm.
“They stuck to what they did best, and we couldn’t get the ball outside like we usually do and get enough crosses in,” senior Kaysie Clark said. “But we had a few chances.”
Missouri nearly broke through in the 74th minute. Junior Reagan Russell crossed the ball into the box from her familiar right flank. Freshman Jessica Johnson headed the ball toward goal, but the shot was denied by the Crimson Tide keeper, who dove and stuck out her hand, blocking the ball. It landed inches away from the goal line before being cleared out of the box.
Clark said it was tough playing on Sunday after already playing Friday in Georgia. The Tigers earned a 2-0 win over the No. 17 ranked Bulldogs, but had to adjust to a different style of play facing the Crimson Tide on Sunday.
“Coming back and switching everything, it’s hard,” Clark said. “That showed today.”
Sauerwein made a season-high seven saves in net for the Tigers.
Freshman Alli Hess was absent from action, as she was on Friday in Georgia. Hess turned her ankle Wednesday in practice. Blitz said he hopes she will return to the pitch for the next match.
Missouri’s next two matches are on the road. The Tigers face Ole Miss on Friday, followed by a game against Tennessee on Sunday. Sunday’s match is scheduled to be televised live on ESPNU.