While Mizzou Athletics had its ups and downs last year — between the football boycott, basketball sanctions and an investigation of the head softball coach — the Tigers soccer team quietly pieced together a strong regular season, finishing at 9-5-5.
Much of their success could be credited to their stout defense, despite a lack of offensive success.
The Tigers struggled to get on the board last season, scoring just 25 goals in 19 matches. Now, as the Tigers lose much of their starting defense, it will be up to the returning offensive lineup to help carry the team. Even with its difficulties, the Missouri offense was led by one potent forward who looks to be a crucial piece on a successful Tiger team: junior Jessica Johnson.
Johnson, entering her third season at Missouri, started 16 of the team’s 17 games in 2015 and managed to lead the team in points with three goals and four assists. Most notably, each of those three goals were game-winners, a team high. Now, Johnson will look to continue her fiery finish into this upcoming season.
“I just have to keep practicing hard,” Johnson said. “It all comes from practice, carrying what I had last year, building on that and working on the weaknesses I had to try and get better and win.”
With a new season underway, Johnson has set new goals and looks to not only match her efforts from 2015, but also improve on them.
“I just have to play hard, be risky, take shots, take people on and have fun with it,” she said. “That’s all I can do. It’s worked well so far.”
Not only has Johnson impressed the Tiger faithful, but she has also been a vital piece to a Missouri offense that is expected to see major improvements for 2016.
“We have a little more depth,” coach Bryan Blitz said. “We have some younger players on the attack and more players where they naturally belong. We’ve been working with it in practice. We always say games are won in practice. She has always been working hard to get those skills fine-tuned for the season and improve our offense.”
For the Tigers to make the leap into the NCAA tournament in 2016, they will need more pivotal play from the offense. With a strong 2015 in her rearview mirror, Missouri has a key cog in Johnson.
_Edited by Peter Baugh | pbaugh@themaneater.com_